1.
domineering husband; husband who rules the household
A husband who acts in an authoritarian way at home, expecting his wife to be obedient and deferring to his wishes. Can describe either the husband himself or the behavior pattern.
うちの父は亭主関白だ。
My father is the domineering type.
最近は亭主関白な男性は嫌われる。
These days, domineering husbands are disliked.
祖父は亭主関白で、家のことは全部祖母に任せていた。
My grandfather was a domineering husband who left all household matters to my grandmother.
Literally "master of the house is the kanpaku" — 亭主 means husband/master of the house, and 関白 was the title of the imperial regent in premodern Japan, the most powerful position in the court. The compound compares a bossy husband to the all-powerful regent.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 亭主関白な夫: a domineering husband
- 亭主関白な家庭: a household where the husband dominates
- 亭主関白タイプ: the domineering-husband type
SIMILAR WORDS:
- かかあ天下: a household where the wife is dominant — the female counterpart of 亭主関白
- 亭主: husband, master — the base word meaning husband (informal)
CULTURAL NOTE:
This term reflects traditional gender roles in Japanese households. While the concept has become less socially acceptable, the word remains widely known and is often used humorously or critically. The famous 1979 song "関白宣言" by さだまさし plays on this concept.