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On'yomi
コウ・オウ
KOU / OU

emperor

Details

Strokes9
Frequency#721
Radicalwhite(5)

Stroke Order

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Strokes9

Component Breakdown

=

white + king

Cultural Context

Etymology

Composed of white and king. White king.

Symbolism

Emperor, sovereign, imperial. Represents supreme ruler.

Words & Expressions

Four-Character Compounds

尊皇攘夷

そんのうじょうい

revere the Emperor, expel the (Western) barbarians; revere the Emperor, expel the (Western) barbarians

Proverbs & Idioms

皇天は親なきを憐れむ

こうてんはおやなきをあわれむ

Heaven pities the orphan

Divine providence helps the helpless

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 皇 mean in Japanese?

皇 means emperor.

How do you read 皇?

On'yomi: コウ、オウ (KOU, OU).

How many strokes does 皇 have?

皇 has 9 strokes. Its radical is 白 (white).

Is 皇 a good kanji for a tattoo?

Yes. 皇 (emperor) has a clear positive meaning and no embarrassing alternate readings, making it a solid tattoo choice.

Explore by meaning:kanji for emperor