Definitions

huáng (noun) emperor
huáng (adjective) imperial; royal

Etymology

Depicts a decorative crown above (king).

About

The character "皇" has an origin that conveys a sense of luminosity and grandeur, initially used as a descriptive adjective meaning "magnificent" or "resplendent" before becoming a royal title. Its traditional form is composed of two elements: the top component "白", which here likely represents not the color white but a depiction of a radiant light or a ceremonial headdress, placed above the component "王" meaning "king" or "sovereign". This structure visually suggests a king crowned with brilliance, an exalted ruler. Over centuries, its application narrowed from a general term of praise to become the definitive title for the supreme monarch, the "huángdì" or emperor, cementing its exclusive association with supreme and divinely-sanctioned imperial authority in Chinese political culture.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Spring and Autumn (771-476 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这位帝很仁慈。

Zhè wèi huángdì hěn réncí.

This emperor is very kind.

宫非常宏伟。

Huánggōng fēicháng hóngwěi.

The imperial palace is very magnificent.

她戴着一顶冠。

Tā dàizhe yī dǐng huángguān.

She is wearing a crown.

这是家花园。

Zhè shì huángjiā huāyuán.

This is the royal garden.

后正在参加庆典。

Huánghòu zhèngzài cānjiā qìngdiǎn.

The queen is attending the ceremony.

族成员住在城堡里。

Huángzú chéngyuán zhù zài chéngbǎo lǐ.

The royal family members live in the castle.

在古代,权至高无上。

Zài gǔdài, huángquán zhì gāo wú shàng.

In ancient times, imperial power was supreme.

他继承了父亲的位,成为新帝。

Tā jìchéngle fùqīn de huángwèi, chéngwéi xīn huángdì.

He inherited his father's throne and became the new emperor.