tàizǐ

Also written: taizi; tai zi; crown prince; heir apparent

The formally designated crown prince or heir apparent to an emperor in Chinese historical and fictional monarchies.

Literal meaning

great son; designated imperial heir

Cultural context

A tàizǐ is not simply any imperial son. The title marks succession status, making the crown prince the focus of education, alliances, surveillance, rivalry, and political pressure.

How dramas use it

Court dramas place the tàizǐ at the center of succession struggles, factional marriage plans, accusations of treason, tests of competence, and conflict between personal desire and dynastic duty.

Usage & formality

Crown prince or heir apparent is usually more accurate than prince. A drama may also depict a deposed, replaced, or contested tàizǐ.