天下(てんか)

てんか
noun
the whole world, the land; supremacy, rule
1. the whole world, the land, the realm
Refers to the entire world or country. In historical contexts, it specifically means the realm or domain under a ruler's control.
天下(てんか)の名城(めいじょう)として知(し)られている。
It is known as one of the greatest castles in the land.
天下(てんか)に名(な)を知(し)らしめた武将(ぶしょう)だ。
He is a military commander who made his name known throughout the land.
このラーメンは天下(てんか)一品(いっぴん)だと言(い)われている。
This ramen is said to be the finest in the world.
2. supremacy, dominance, rule
The state of having supreme power or being the best. Used in expressions about taking control or being unrivaled.
天下(てんか)を取(と)る。
To seize power; to rule the land.
織田信長(おだのぶなが)は天下(てんか)統一(とういつ)を目指(めざ)した。
Oda Nobunaga aimed to unify the realm.
試合(しあい)に勝(か)って、まるで天下(てんか)を取(と)ったかのように喜(よろこ)んだ。
After winning the match, he celebrated as if he had conquered the world.

天下(てんか) literally means "under heaven" and refers to the entire world or realm.

Common expressions

  • 天下(てんか)を取(と)る: to seize power, to conquer the realm
  • 天下(てんか)統一(とういつ): unification of the realm
  • 天下(てんか)一品(いっぴん): the finest in the world
  • 天下(てんか)の: of/in the whole world (intensifier, "the greatest")
  • 天下(てんか)泰平(たいへい): peace throughout the land

Cultural note

Deeply associated with Japan's Sengoku (Warring States) period, when rival warlords competed for 天下(てんか)統一(とういつ) (unification of the realm). The phrase 天下(てんか)を取(と)る is still used figuratively to mean achieving dominance or great success.

general
Added 2026.2.20 19:23 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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