How to say "prince" in Japanese

• 王子おうじJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe default word for a prince, especially the son of a king or emperor. Use it for fairy-tale, royal-family, and general senses of 'prince'.
  王子おうじは森もりで道みちに迷まよった。↗

  The prince was lost in the woods.
• プリンスCommon
  nounA loanword covering 'prince', often with a foreign, stylish, or showbiz flavor, as in Western royalty or a charming romantic figure. 王子 is usually the safer everyday choice.
• 公爵こうしゃくCommon
  nounPrimarily means 'duke', a high rank of nobility; it matches 'prince' only where a European title translates that way. It is seldom the word you want for a royal prince — use 王子 instead.
  これは、あの殺人的さつじんてきな公爵こうしゃくに復讐ふくしゅうしようという彼かれの願ねがいを強つよめただけだ。↗

  This only increased his desire to be revenged on the murderous duke.

Use 王子 for an ordinary prince (son of a monarch), 「プリンス」 for a stylish or foreign/figurative prince, and note that 公爵 mainly means 'duke', so it only suits 'prince' in specific European peerage contexts.

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

• 王子おうじprince
• プリンスprince
• 公爵こうしゃくprince
• 宮様みやさまprince
• 王子様おうじさまprince
• 公こうduke