noun
kings; children of nobles; young nobleman
Archaic term used in historical or literary contexts to refer to royalty, noble offspring, or young aristocrats. Not used in modern everyday speech.
古い物語には、公達が都を治める話がよく出てくる。
In old tales, stories of kings ruling the capital often appear.
平安時代の公達は、和歌や管弦に親しんだ。
The young noblemen of the Heian period enjoyed waka poetry and music.
The term is of Japanese origin, combining 公 (public, noble) and 達 (plural suffix). Its exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it has been used since the Heian period to refer to royalty and young nobles.