1.
queen consort; queen; king's wife
The wife of a king. Refers to a queen by marriage rather than a queen regnant who rules in her own right. Used in historical and literary contexts.
A compound of 王 (king) and 后 (consort, empress). 后 specifically denotes a female royal consort. In Japanese historical texts, 后 is also used to refer to an emperor's wife.
In modern contexts, 王妃 is more commonly used to refer to a queen consort of a foreign country.
Common collocations
- 王と王后: king and queen
- 王后の座: the position of queen
- 王后として即位する: to be enthroned as queen
- 王后陛下: Her Majesty the Queen
Similar words
Related Words
Compare:
王妃 (queen consort, princess)
Compare:
女王 (queen regnant)
Compare:
皇后 (empress consort)