后: the kanji for empress; queen
后 is a JLPT N1 kanji that means empress; queen. Below are its readings, 2 common words and example sentences, all with audio.
Stroke order
后 is written in 6 strokes. The red stroke is the one to write next, and the dot shows where it starts.
Words by reading
后 has 1 reading in the official Jōyō Kanji Table. Below are 2 common words grouped by reading. Tap ▶ to hear each word (audio plays with a free account).
コウ (kou)
On reading.
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 皇后こうごう · kōgō | empress |
| 皇太后こうたいごう · kōtaigō | empress dowager |
Example sentences for work and daily life
- 皇后は多くの行事に出席される。Kōgō wa ōku no gyōji ni shusseki sareru.The Empress attends many events.
- 天皇と皇后が式典に出られた。Tennō to kōgō ga shikiten ni derareta.The Emperor and Empress attended the ceremony.
- 皇太后は長く国民に親しまれた。Kōtaigō wa nagaku kokumin ni shitashimareta.The Empress Dowager was loved by the people for many years.
- 皇后のお言葉が紹介された。Kōgō no okotoba ga shōkai sareta.The Empress's words were introduced.
- 皇后が病院を訪問された。Kōgō ga byōin o hōmon sareta.The Empress visited a hospital.
Questions about 后
How many strokes does 后 have?
后 is written in 6 strokes. The stroke order is shown at the top of this page.
What are the readings of 后?
The on readings are kou (コウ). 后 has no kun reading in the Jōyō Kanji Table.
What JLPT level is 后?
N1. The JLPT does not publish official kanji lists, so this level is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used through 2009.
About the JLPT level
The JLPT does not publish official lists of kanji for each level. The level on this page is a guide based on the official Test Content Specifications used for the test through 2009. The JLPT states that the current N1 is designed to match the former Level 1.
More JLPT N1 kanji
People and relationships
Executive Japanese by CCN is one-on-one online Japanese for managers and directors doing business in Japan.
Sources
- Jōyō Kanji Table (常用漢字表), Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan, 2010: readings and special readings of 后
- JLPT Frequently Asked Questions, The Japan Foundation and Japan Educational Exchanges and Services: how current levels match the former levels
- Stroke order diagrams are based on KanjiVG by Ulrich Apel, used under CC BY-SA 3.0. The diagrams on this page are shared under the same license.