How to say "dominion" in Japanese

Choosing the right word

領土りょうどJLPT N1approx.Common
nounCovers dominion as the territory a state or ruler controls — the land itself rather than the power over it. Typical contexts are national territory and border disputes.
あの島しまはアメリカの領土りょうどです。↗
That island is American territory.
主権しゅけんJLPT N1approx.Common
nounHere dominion is supreme authority: the sovereignty a nation holds over itself, as in discussions of national sovereignty or a state's right to govern.
主権しゅけんは人民じんみんにある。↗
Sovereignty resides in the people.
領地りょうちJLPT N1approx.Common
no-adjectiveLand under a holder's control, often suggesting a lord's domain; it can also mean grounds, such as those of a school. Use it when dominion means a tract of land held by someone.
領分りょうぶんCommon
nounCovers one's own domain or allotted share — the sphere that properly belongs to someone, often figuratively, as when something is said to be outside one's province.
それは私の領分りょうぶんですよ。↗
That's my province.
所有権しょゆうけんCommon
nounThis is the legal term for ownership rights, so it fits dominion only in the property-law sense of title over things; for rule over land or people it is not the word you want.
ジョンはその絵えの所有権しょゆうけんを主張しゅちょうした。↗
John laid claim to the painting.

Choose 領土 for a nation's territory, 主権 for sovereign authority, 領地 for land held or grounds, 領分 for one's own sphere, and 所有権 for legal ownership.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese equivalents

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