여제
yeoje[jʌ̹d͡ʑe̞]
The English phrase "empress" is translated into Korean as 여제 (yeoje). Wiktionary also lists 여황 (yeohwang) and 녀제 (nyeoje).
Meaning: female monarch of an empire (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 여제 | yeoje | [jʌ̹d͡ʑe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 여황 | yeohwang | [jʌ̹βwa̠ŋ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) | |
| 녀제 | nyeoje | North Korea | |
| 녀황 | nyeohwang | North Korea |
The term refers to a female monarch of an empire. While 여제 is the standard term, the form 여황 is often used in creative writing or poetic contexts to refer to an empress.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 여제 is composed of 여 (female) and 제 (emperor/empress).
Which one should you use?
여제 is the standard term for an empress, whereas 여황 specifically emphasizes the "emperor" aspect of the title.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In North Korean orthography, the forms 녀제 and 녀황 are used, whereas South Korea uses 여제 and 여황 respectively.
How do you pronounce it?
yeoje
Did you know?
- In modern Korean pop culture, the term 여제 is frequently used as a title for legendary female singers or actresses who dominate their field, regardless of any actual royal status.
- Because Korea historically had few female sovereigns, the term 여제 is more often encountered in translations of foreign history or fantasy settings than in domestic annals.
- The term 여제 is a Sino-Korean word, meaning its roots are derived from Chinese characters rather than native Korean.
Examples in context
- 황후님은 매우 우아하게 보입니다.The empress looks very elegant.
- 그녀는 위대한 여제였다.geunyeoneun widaehan yeoje-yeotda.She was a great empress.
- 역사 속의 여제를 연구해요.yeoksag sogui yeoje-reul yeonguhaeyo.I study the empress in history.
- 여제는 제국을 다스렸다.yeoje-neun jeguk-eul daseuryeotda.The empress ruled the empire.
Example conversation
Jieun and Hyeonwoo are discussing a historical movie.
- 지은 Ji-eun이 영화 속 여제 캐릭터가 정말 멋져요.i yeonghwa sok yeje kaerikteo-ga jeongmal meotjyeoyo.The empress character in this movie is really cool.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo맞아요, 아주 카리스마 넘치더라고요.majayo, aju kariseuma neomchideoragoyo.True, she had so much charisma.
- 지은 Ji-eun실제 역사에도 그런 여제가 있었을까요?silje yeoksado geureon yeje-ga isseoss-eulkkayo?I wonder if there was an empress like that in actual history?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아마 몇 분은 계셨을 거예요.ama myeot bun-eun gyesyeoss-eul geoyeyo.There probably were a few.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “empress” translations and entries 여제, 여황, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 여제, 여황, CC BY-SA 4.0.
