Japanese word

皇后

Pronunciation

Romajikōgō

Meaning

  • nounempress consort

Example

皇后は宮殿に入りました。kō gō wa kyū den ni hai ri ma shi ta

The empress entered the palace.

Illustration for 皇后 (empress consort)

More examples

皇后は国民から深く敬愛されていました。kō gō wa koku min ka ra fuka ku kei ai sa re te i ma shi ta

The empress consort was deeply respected by the people.

Core concept

Describes the woman who is married to an emperor and holds the highest consort rank, rather than a woman who rules an empire in her own right.

Common phrases

  • 皇后陛下kō gō hei ka

    Her Majesty the empress consort

  • 皇后としてkō gō to shi te

    as empress consort

Similar words

皇后陛下kōgōheika: A highly respectful title for an empress consort used in official announcements and formal speech.
后kō: A historical or literary term for a woman married to an emperor as his highest-ranking consort.

Definition in Japanese

天皇の正妻である女性。tennō no sei sai de a ru jo sei

Word origin

皇后 (kōgō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 皇 (kō, "imperial") and 后 (gō, "empress"), with the compound meaning "empress consort".

Usage tips

  • The highly formal expression 皇后陛下 (kōgō-heika) appears in official announcements, while 皇后さま (kōgō-sama) is more natural in respectful conversation.

Word lists with this word