Definition

The emperor of Japan, who is the ceremonial leader of the country and the head of the imperial family.

Example

The tenno of Japan plays a significant role in the country's cultural traditions.

Conversation

Did you know that the current tenno is the 126th Emperor of Japan?

Really? I had no idea there were that many!

Yeah, it's interesting how much history is behind each tenno.

For sure! Japan's imperial family has such a rich legacy.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

The word 'tenno' originates from Japanese, meaning 'emperor'. It is derived from the characters 天 (ten), meaning 'heaven', and 皇 (no), meaning 'noble' or 'emperor'.

Memory Tip

Think of 'heaven' ('ten') and 'noble' ('no') to remember that 'tenno' refers to a noble figure, specifically an emperor.

Visually Confused Words