皇位(こうい)

Usage

皇位(こうい) is composed of 皇(こう) (emperor, imperial) and 位(い) (position, rank). It refers specifically to the position of the Japanese Emperor (天皇(てんのう)).

Note: Do not confuse with the homophones 好意(こうい) (goodwill, kindness) or 行為(こうい) (act, deed).

Common collocations

• 皇位(こうい)継承(けいしょう) (imperial succession)
• 皇位(こうい)に就(つ)く (ascend to the throne)
• 皇位(こうい)を退(しりぞ)く (abdicate)
• 皇位(こうい)継承(けいしょう)順位(じゅんい) (order of succession to the throne)

Cultural note

In 2019, Emperor Akihito (上皇(じょうこう)明仁(あきひと)) abdicated — the first such abdication in over 200 years — and Emperor Naruhito (今上天皇(きんじょうてんのう)徳仁(なるひと)) ascended the 皇位(こうい), beginning the Reiwa era.