Meaning
民主 refers to the political system or principle of democracy, where power rests with the people. It can function as a noun meaning 'democracy' or as an adjective meaning 'democratic.' This term is fundamental in political discourse and discussions about governance.
Usage
民主 is commonly used in formal contexts, news, political discussions, and academic writing. It often appears in phrases like 民主国家 (democratic country) or 民主制度 (democratic system). While the concept is discussed openly in Taiwan and other Chinese-speaking regions, usage in mainland China may carry specific political connotations within the context of 'socialism with Chinese characteristics.'
Examples
- 01民主是现代社会的重要基础。.Democracy is an important foundation of modern society.
- 02这个国家实行民主制度已经有一百多年了。.This country has practiced a democratic system for over a hundred years.
Characters
Common collocations
- 民主制度democratic system
- 民主国家democratic country
- 民主选举democratic election
- 民主党派democratic parties
Antonyms
Origin
The compound literally means 'people as master,' conveying the idea that the people hold sovereign power. This term was adopted in modern Chinese during the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a translation of Western political concepts.