陛下(へいか)

へいか
noun
Your Majesty; His/Her Majesty
1. Your Majesty; His/Her Majesty
An honorific title used to address or refer to an emperor, empress, king, or queen. In Japan, used exclusively for the Emperor and Empress.
天皇(てんのう)陛下(へいか)のお言葉(ことば)がありました。
There were words from His Majesty the Emperor.
両(りょう)陛下(へいか)は被災地(ひさいち)を訪問(ほうもん)された。
Their Majesties visited the disaster-affected area.
国賓(こくひん)として招(まね)かれた国王(こくおう)陛下(へいか)が空港(くうこう)に到着(とうちゃく)された。
His Majesty the King, invited as a state guest, arrived at the airport.

The highest honorific title for a monarch. In Japan, applies only to the 天皇(てんのう) (Emperor) and 皇后(こうごう) (Empress).

COMMON USES:

  • 天皇(てんのう)陛下(へいか) (His Majesty the Emperor)
  • 皇后(こうごう)陛下(へいか) (Her Majesty the Empress)
  • 両(りょう)陛下(へいか) (Their Majesties — the Emperor and Empress together)
  • 国王(こくおう)陛下(へいか) (His Majesty the King)
  • 女王(じょおう)陛下(へいか) (Her Majesty the Queen)

The word 陛(へい) originally referred to the steps leading up to the throne. Addressing the emperor through the steps (rather than directly) was considered properly respectful.

Do not confuse with 殿下(でんか) (His/Her Royal Highness), used for princes, princesses, and other members of the imperial family below the emperor.

general
Added 2026.3.2 16:15
14500/14566_heika