hirohito: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Historical/Academic
Quick answer
What does “hirohito” mean?
The name of the 124th Emperor of Japan, who reigned from 1926 to 1989.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The name of the 124th Emperor of Japan, who reigned from 1926 to 1989.
Refers specifically to the historical figure and symbol of the Japanese Shōwa era; often invoked in historical, political, and cultural discussions of 20th-century Japan, WWII, and the emperor system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; both use it as a historical proper noun.
Connotations
Associated with WWII history and post-war geopolitics. Slight potential for different historical emphasis in UK (Pacific War) vs. US (post-war occupation) contexts, but the referent is identical.
Frequency
Equal, very low frequency in both, appearing mainly in historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “hirohito” in a Sentence
[Proper Noun, subject/object of historical narrative]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and East Asian studies contexts.
Everyday
Rare, only in discussions of history or WWII.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “hirohito”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “hirohito”
- Misspelling as 'Hirohita', 'Hirohito's' (incorrect possessive when referring to the era).
- Using without the title 'Emperor' where context is unclear.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In Western order, 'Hirohito' is used as his personal name. In Japanese tradition, he is posthumously referred to as 'Emperor Shōwa'.
In English, it is commonly /ˌhɪrəˈhiːtoʊ/ (hir-uh-HEE-toh) or /ˌhɪroʊˈhiːtoʊ/ (heer-oh-HEE-toh). Stress is on the third syllable.
He reigned during Japan's militarisation, WWII, defeat, and subsequent post-war economic recovery, embodying the nation's dramatic transformation.
In formal and historical writing, 'Emperor Hirohito' is standard. In context, 'Hirohito' alone may be used after initial introduction.
The name of the 124th Emperor of Japan, who reigned from 1926 to 1989.
Hirohito is usually formal/historical/academic in register.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
HIRO-HI-TO: Think 'HE ROW, HE HEAT, HE TOW' – the Emperor who reigned through a heated war and then towed Japan into a new era.
Conceptual Metaphor
A SYMBOL OF TRANSITION: From divine sovereign to constitutional monarch; from militarism to pacifism.
Practice
Quiz
Hirohito is primarily associated with which historical period?