御殿(ごてん)

ごてん
noun
palace; mansion; grand residence
buildinghistory
1. palace; mansion; grand residence
A large, stately residence, especially one associated with nobility or feudal lords. Also used figuratively or humorously for any impressively large house.
城(しろ)の中(なか)に御殿(ごてん)がある。
There is a palace inside the castle.
あの家(いえ)はまるで御殿(ごてん)のようだ。
That house is like a palace.
名古屋城(なごやじょう)の本丸(ほんまる)御殿(ごてん)が復元(ふくげん)されて公開(こうかい)された。
The main palace of Nagoya Castle was restored and opened to the public.

Originally referred to the residential quarters within a castle or the home of a feudal lord (殿様(とのさま)). In modern usage, appears frequently in historical contexts, place names, and as a metaphor for a lavishly grand house.

Common collocations

  • 本丸(ほんまる)御殿(ごてん): the main palace (within a castle)
  • 二(に)の丸(まる)御殿(ごてん): secondary palace
  • 竜宮(りゅうぐう)御殿(ごてん): the Dragon Palace (from the folktale)
  • 御殿(ごてん)のような家(いえ): a house like a palace

Etymology

The 御(ご) is an honorific prefix, and 殿(てん) means a large building or hall. The word carries a sense of grandeur and high status.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 宮殿(きゅうでん) (palace)
Compare: 邸宅(ていたく) (mansion/residence)
general
Added 2026.4.18 2:37 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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