JLPT N1 · Japanese kanji
皇 — emperor
- Reading
- コウ・オウ
- Meaning
- emperor
- JLPT level
- N1
- Language
- Japanese
About this kanji
皇 is a japanese kanji character commonly studied at the JLPT N1 level. Its primary reading is コウ・オウ and it means emperor. To master it, see it in real Japanese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
皇 appears in everyday japanese words such as 天皇 (Emperor of Japan), 皇居 (Imperial Palace) and 天皇 (Emperor of Japan).
Japanese words containing 皇
Frequently asked questions
What does 皇 mean in Japanese?
皇 means emperor in Japanese. It is one of the JLPT N1 kanji every learner meets at that level.
How is 皇 read?
皇 is read コウ・オウ. Reading it inside real words — 天皇 and 皇居 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 皇 — is it JLPT N1?
Yes. 皇 is on the official JLPT N1 kanji list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 皇 in a word?
A common word containing 皇 is 天皇 (すめらぎ) — "Emperor of Japan". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 皇 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Japanese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 皇 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More JLPT N1 kanji
Learn every JLPT kanji in context
InputDojo gives you the full JLPT N5–N1 kanji list — plus one-tap lookups in any real Japanese content. Free to start.
Start free