政治

• Reading: せいじ
• Romaji: seiji
• Kanji breakdown: 政 (sei/matsurigoto) — politics, government; 治 (ji/chi/osa) — govern, rule, cure
• Pronunciation: /se.i.dʑi/

Meaning

Politics; government. The activities involved in governing a country or region.

A noun that appears heavily in news and formal discussion. Key compounds include 政治家 (politician), 政治的 (political), and 政治学 (political science). Can also function as a する verb in classical or literary contexts. A staple of JLPT reading passages.

Examples

1. 若い人も政治に関心を持つべきです。 Young people should also take an interest in politics.
2. 政治家の演説をテレビで見ました。 I watched a politician's speech on TV.
3. 最近の政治の動きに注目しています。 I'm paying attention to recent political developments.

Usage Guide

Context: news, education, discussion

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 政 (politics, government) and 治 (govern, rule, cure). Both characters relate to governance, reinforcing the meaning of administering public affairs.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal