Meaning
Imperial Steps / Palace Stairs / Majesty (Honorific)
- 陛下 — His/Her Majesty
- 登陛 — audience with the emperor (formal)
- 天皇陛下 — His Majesty the Emperor
- 皇后陛下 — Her Majesty the Empress
The left radical ⻖ (こざとへん) often relates to land or structures. 陛 originally referred to stairways in palaces — symbolizing a rise to meet authority. Today, it’s almost exclusively seen in honorifics for royalty, especially in the phrase 陛下.
天皇陛下が 登場されました。
His Majesty the Emperor has appeared.
陛下に 謁見する。
To be granted an audience with His Majesty.