1.
reigning, ruling, dominating
To hold supreme authority or dominant position. Originally refers to a monarch's rule, but widely used figuratively for anyone or anything that holds an unchallenged top position.
王として君臨する。
Reign as king.
彼は業界の頂点に君臨している。
He reigns at the top of the industry.
長年にわたり世界チャンピオンとして君臨し続けた。
He continued to reign as world champion for many years.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 頂点に君臨する (reign at the summit)
- 王者として君臨する (reign as champion)
- 君臨し続ける (continue to reign)
USAGE NOTES:
While the original meaning is about monarchical rule, 君臨 is most commonly used figuratively in modern Japanese. Sports champions, market leaders, top-ranked schools, or anyone who dominates a field can be described as 君臨している. The word carries a sense of unchallenged authority and long-held dominance.
The related expression 君臨すれども統治せず means "reigns but does not govern" — describing a constitutional monarchy.