伯爵(はくしゃく)

はくしゃく
noun
count, earl
formalliteraryperson
1. count, earl
A rank of nobility, third in the five-rank peerage system. Equivalent to 'count' in continental European nobility or 'earl' in British peerage. Also used in the former Japanese peerage system (kazoku) established in 1884.
He was given the title of count.
ドラキュラ伯爵(はくしゃく)は有名(ゆうめい)な吸血鬼(きゅうけつき)のキャラクターだ。
Count Dracula is a famous vampire character.
In the Meiji era, a peerage system was established with five ranks: duke, marquis, count, viscount, and baron.

One of the five ranks in the Japanese 華族(かぞく) peerage system (1884-1947), modeled after European nobility.

Types

Usage

Most commonly encountered in translations of European literature and history (e.g., モンテ・クリスト伯(はく) — The Count of Monte Cristo) or discussions of Meiji-era Japanese history. The female form is 伯爵(はくしゃく)夫人(ふじん) (countess).