頂上
chōjō[t͡ɕo̞ːʑo̞ː]
The English phrase "peak" can be translated into Japanese as 頂上 (chōjō). If unsure, use 頂上. Wiktionary also lists 山頂 (sanchō).
Meaning: mountain top (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 頂上 | chōjō | [t͡ɕo̞ːʑo̞ː] (narrow) |
| 山頂 | sanchō | [sã̠ɲ̟t͡ɕo̞ː] (narrow) |
頂上 means summit or top. While it can refer to a physical peak, it is also used metaphorically to describe reaching the height of a profession or a specific period of time.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 頂上 is composed of 頂 (top/head) and 上 (above/up).
Which one should you use?
山頂 is a more specific term used exclusively for the peak of a mountain. In contrast, 頂上 can refer to the top or summit of anything, such as the top of a building or the peak of a career.
How do you pronounce it?
chōjō
Did you know?
- While 頂上 means 'top', the humble verb 頂く (itadaku), which means 'to receive', shares the same kanji 頂 because it evokes the image of holding something up to the crown of the head.
- In Japanese business culture, the term 頂上決戦 describes a 'summit battle' or a final showdown between two top-tier competitors.
- The kanji 頂 used in 頂上 originally referred to the crown of the human head. This reflects a linguistic pattern where body parts are used to describe geographical features.
Examples in context
- 山頂は雪で覆われている。The mountain peak is covered with snow.This sentence uses 山頂 to describe a mountain peak covered in snow.Tatoeba #169425 by small_snow, translation #10263855 by sundown
- 富士山の頂上は雪で覆われていた。The peak of Fujiyama was covered with snow.This sentence uses 頂上 to describe the peak of Fujiyama covered in snow.Tatoeba #84943 by small_snow, translation #2889407 by astynk
- その山の頂上は雪で覆われていた。The mountain peak was covered with snow.This sentence uses 頂上 to describe a mountain peak covered in snow.Tatoeba #210453 by bunbuku, translation #47721 by CM
- 今日、私たちは山の 頂峰 に到着しました。Today, we reached the summit of the mountain.
- 登山家たちは 頂上 で休憩しました。The climbers took a rest at the mountain top.
- ようやく山の いただき に到着した。We finally reached the peak of the mountain.
- 彼は山の トップ に旗を立てた。He planted a flag at the top of the mountain.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are hiking a mountain on a clear day.
- 結衣 Yuiもう少しで頂上に着きますよ。Mou sukoshi de choujou ni tsukimasu yo.We will reach the peak soon.
- 大翔 Hirotoやっと頂上が見えてきましたね。Yatto choujou ga miete kimashita ne.The peak is finally coming into view.
- 結衣 Yuiあそこが頂上です。Asoko ga choujou desu.That is the peak over there.
- 大翔 Hiroto景色がとても綺麗です！Keshiki ga totemo kirei desu!The view is beautiful!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peak” translations and entries 頂上, 山頂, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
