貴族
kizoku[kʲizo̞kɯ̟]
The English phrase 'nobleman' can be translated into Japanese as 貴族 (kizoku) or 華族 (kazoku).
Meaning: man of noble rank, title, or status, peer, aristocrat (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 貴族 | kizoku | [kʲizo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 華族 | kazoku | [ka̠zo̞kɯ̟] (narrow) |
The term 貴族 is a general word for an aristocrat or nobleman that can be used in both historical and modern contexts. In a specific historical context, the term 大名 refers to a feudal lord in Japan's feudal system during the Edo period (1603-1868).
What does it mean word for word?
The word 貴族 is composed of the characters for 'noble/precious' (貴) and 'clan/tribe' (族).
Which one should you use?
While 貴族 is the general term for an aristocrat, 華族 refers specifically to the peerage system that was used in Japan from 1869 until 1947.
How do you pronounce it?
kizoku
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be careful not to confuse the word 華族 (kazoku, 'nobility') with the word 家族 (kazoku, 'family'), as they are homophones.
Did you know?
- In Japanese pop culture, characters with 'noble' traits are often referred to as お嬢様 or 坊ちゃん regardless of whether they belong to a formal 貴族 lineage.
- The word 貴族 was popularized in the late 1860s by Fukuzawa Yukichi, one of Japan's most influential modern thinkers, to translate Western concepts of nobility.
- The character 華 in 華族 means 'flower' or 'splendid', visually distinguishing the peerage from the standard 'family' 家族 despite sounding identical.
Examples in context
- 私の家の先祖は大名です。My ancestors were noblemen.
- 彼は現代の公爵です。He is a modern-day nobleman.
- 彼はちょっとおしゃれな貴族みたい。He seems like a stylish nobleman.
- その物語には貴族が登場します。Sono monogatari ni wa kizoku ga toujou shimasu.Noblemen appear in that story.
- 貴族の生活はとても優雅です。Kizoku no seikatsu wa totemo yuuga desu.The life of a nobleman is very elegant.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are discussing a historical drama at a cafe.
- 美咲 Misakiあのドラマの貴族はかっこいいですね。Ano dorama no kizoku wa kakkoii desu ne.The nobleman in that drama is cool, isn't he?
- 陽太 Yota確かに、とても優雅な男性ですね。Tashika ni, totemo yuuga na dansei desu ne.True, he is a very elegant man.
- 美咲 Misaki陽太さんは貴族の格好が好きですか？Yota-san wa kizoku no kakko ga suki desu ka?Yota, do you like the look of a nobleman?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、とても素敵だと思います。Hai, totemo suteki da to omoimasu.Yes, I think it is very wonderful.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nobleman” translations and entries 貴族, 華族, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 貴族, CC BY-SA 4.0.
