Meaning
The kanji 姫 carries the primary meaning of princess or young noble lady. In modern Japanese, it is most commonly read as ひめ (hime), referring to a girl of noble or royal birth — particularly a princess in fairy tales, historical literature, and traditional culture. It evokes poise, high birth, and social distinction: qualities long associated with the daughters of emperors, feudal lords, and aristocratic families throughout Japan's history.
Beyond its literal meaning of princess, 姫 describes any beautiful or beloved young woman. In colloquial speech, calling someone お姫様 (ohime-sama) can suggest she is pampered — accustomed to being treated like royalty. That dual nuance, hovering between sincere admiration and gentle teasing, shows how fully the character has moved from the palace into everyday modern Japanese.
Etymologically, 姫 is composed of two elements: the radical 女 (woman) on the left, which grounds the character in the feminine sphere, and a right-side component historically linked to retainers and court life. The traditional Chinese form is 姬, where the right side features the character 臣 (minister or retainer), visually suggesting a woman of the highest court — a consort or princess surrounded by attendants. Japan's simplified written form keeps the core meaning of noble femininity intact.
With 10 strokes and classified under the 女 radical, 姫 is a Joyo kanji added in the 2010 revision of Japan's standard character list. Rated at JLPT N1, it appears in classical texts, key place names, traditional performing arts, folklore, and popular media such as anime, manga, and historical drama.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The on'yomi reading of 姫 is キ (Ki), inherited from the classical Chinese pronunciation of 姬. Rarely heard in everyday modern Japanese, it surfaces mainly in formal literary contexts, classical Chinese poetry studied in school, or scholarly references to ancient court culture. Few productive compound words use this reading in modern Japanese, so the kun'yomi form is far more practical. Learners should recognize キ when reading classical texts, but they will almost never encounter it in conversation.
- 姫 — Ki — used in very formal or classical literary contexts to refer to a woman of noble birth; rarely seen outside academic or classical studies
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kun'yomi reading ひめ (hime) is by far the dominant everyday form of 姫. Predating the adoption of Chinese writing into Japan, it reflects the native Japanese word for a noble or beautiful young woman. You will encounter hime in folklore, geography, the arts, and daily speech alike. Knowing this reading opens doors to classical Japanese literature, place names across the country, and broad conversations about Japanese tradition. The word carries a graceful, archaic resonance that has kept it alive across centuries of language change.
- 姫 (hime) — princess, young noblewoman
- お姫様 (ohime-sama) — princess (honorific form); also used figuratively to describe a pampered or spoiled person
- 姫君 (himegimi) — a noble young lady, a princess (respectful literary term used in classical prose)
- 乙姫 (Otohime) — the Dragon Princess of the Sea, a central figure in the Urashima Tarō folk tale
- 歌姫 (utahime) — a celebrated female singer, songstress, or diva
Common Words & Compounds
姫 runs through a broad range of compound words, proper names, place names, and cultural expressions — all rooted in its associations with nobility, beauty, and Japanese tradition. The entries below cover the most important and frequently encountered usages, organized by category.
People and Titles:
- 姫 (hime) — princess, young lady of noble birth; the most basic and direct usage of this kanji
- お姫様 (ohime-sama) — princess (polite/honorific form); also casually used to describe someone who acts spoiled or expects to be pampered
- 姫君 (himegimi) — noble young lady, princess (a formal and literary respectful term found in classical Japanese prose)
- 乙姫 (Otohime) — the legendary Dragon Princess of the underwater palace, a beloved figure from the Urashima Tarō folk tale
- 雪姫 (yukihime) — snow princess; used in personal names, fairy tale contexts, and the Japanese title for Snow White
Arts and Culture:
- 舞姫 (maihime) — dancing princess; title of a celebrated short story by Mori Ōgai published in 1890, considered a landmark of modern Japanese literature
- 歌姫 (utahime) — songstress, diva, a celebrated female vocalist; used in both classical and contemporary contexts
- 姫神 (himegami) — a female deity or goddess figure in Shinto tradition; also the name of a well-known Japanese folk music duo
Place Names:
- 姫路 (Himeji) — city in Hyogo Prefecture and home of Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site widely regarded as Japan's finest surviving example of feudal castle architecture
- 姫島 (Himejima) — Hime Island in Ōita Prefecture, known for its seasonal butterfly migrations and ancient myths
Nature and Everyday Use:
- 姫リンゴ (hime ringo) — crab apple; a small, decorative variety of apple tree and its fruit, named for its delicate, princess-like appearance
- 姫百合 (himeyuri) — a small, elegant species of lily; also the name of the Himeyuri Peace Museum in Okinawa, dedicated to student nurses who died in World War II
- 姫ほたる (hime hotaru) — a petite species of firefly native to mountain streams in Japan, named for its graceful, delicate light
Example Sentences
むかしむかし、ある国に美しい姫がいました。
Mukashi mukashi, aru kuni ni utsukushii hime ga imashita.
Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess in a certain kingdom.
姫路城は日本で最も美しいお城のひとつです。
Himeji-jō wa Nihon de mottomo utsukushii oshiro no hitotsu desu.
Himeji Castle is one of the most beautiful castles in Japan.
この映画の姫は、とても強くて勇敢です。
Kono eiga no hime wa, totemo tsuyokute yūkan desu.
The princess in this movie is very strong and brave.
娘は姫のコスチュームを着て、嬉しそうにしていた。
Musume wa hime no kosuchūmu wo kite, ureshi-sō ni shite ita.
My daughter put on a princess costume and looked absolutely delighted.
彼女はクラスの歌姫と呼ばれている。
Kanojo wa kurasu no utahime to yobarete iru.
She is called the songstress of the class.
乙姫は浦島太郎に玉手箱を渡した。
Otohime wa Urashima Tarō ni tamatebako wo watashita.
Princess Otohime handed Urashima Tarō the mysterious box.
彼は一人娘をお姫様のように育てた。
Kare wa hitori musume wo ohime-sama no yō ni sodateta.
He raised his only daughter like a princess.
舞姫は森鷗外の代表作のひとつとして知られている。
Maihime wa Mori Ōgai no daihyōsaku no hitotsu to shite shirarete iru.
"The Dancing Girl" is known as one of Mori Ōgai's most representative works.
お姫様のように扱ってほしいというのは、少し無理な話だ。
Ohime-sama no yō ni atsukatte hoshii to iu no wa, sukoshi muri na hanashi da.
Wanting to be treated like a princess is asking a little too much.
Memory Tip
Start with the 女 (woman) radical on the left — that is your visual anchor. Picture a woman seated on a high throne, with courtiers and ministers at her side: that attended, elevated figure is precisely what 姫 means. For the sound hime, let Japan's great white fortress do the work: Himeji Castle. Every time you see that landmark, read 姫 (hime) and the reading locks in.