Meaning
Summit, top, or peak. Also used in humble expressions to mean “to receive.”
- 頂上 — summit
- 頂点 — peak, apex
- 山頂 — mountain top
- いただきます — expression of gratitude before meals
- 頂戴 — please give (humble)
頂 combines the radical 頁 (head) with the phonetic 丁 (テイ), giving the image of “the top of the head.” This evolved to mean “summit” and also “to humbly receive something from someone above.”
山の頂上に 登りました。
I climbed to the summit of the mountain.
この本を 頂きました。
I received this book (humbly).
As an on-yomi, 頂 is read チョウ in compounds like 頂上. The kun-yomi いただく is used in respectful language.