Translation and Meaning of: 政権 - seiken

The Japanese word 政権 (せいけん, seiken) is a term that frequently appears in political discussions, news, and even in everyday conversations in Japan. If you are studying Japanese or have an interest in the culture and politics of the country, understanding the meaning and usage of this word is essential. In this article, we will explore what 政権 means, its origin, how it is perceived in the Japanese language, and some practical examples of its usage.

In addition, we will address how this word is used in different contexts, from formal debates to journalistic reports. If you have ever wondered how the Japanese view the concept of "government" or "political administration," this text will clarify your doubts. Let's start with the basics: what exactly does 政権 mean?

The meaning and origin of 政権

The word 政権 is composed of two kanjis: 政 (sei), which means "government" or "politics," and 権 (ken), which can be translated as "power" or "authority." Together, they form the term that refers to "political power" or "government" in a broader sense. In English, the most common translation would be "administration" or "regime," depending on the context.

The use of 政権 dates back to the period when Japan adopted political terms from China, during the Chinese cultural and linguistic influence. The combination of these kanji reflects the idea of a centralized power structure, something that was common in the political systems of the time. Today, the word is widely used to refer to the current government or a ruling group, whether in a national or local context.

How 政権 is used in Japan today

In contemporary Japan, 政権 is often used in news and political debates. For example, when a prime minister assumes office, the Japanese media often uses expressions like "新たな政権" (arata na seiken), which means "new government" or "new administration." This word also appears in criticisms of the government, such as "政権批判" (seiken hihan), which translates to "criticisms of the government."

Moreover, 政権 is not limited only to the national government. It can be used to refer to local administrations or even to groups within political parties. For example, if a party has been in power for many years, the Japanese may say that it "maintains the 政権" (seiken o tamotsu), indicating that it continues to control the government.

Tips for memorizing and using 政権 correctly

An effective way to memorize 政権 is to associate the kanjis that compose it with familiar concepts. The kanji 政 (sei) appears in other words related to government, such as 政治 (seiji, "politics") and 行政 (gyōsei, "public administration"). On the other hand, 権 (ken) is found in terms like 権力 (kenryoku, "power") and 人権 (jinken, "human rights"). This connection helps to solidify the meaning of the word.

Another tip is to pay attention to the context in which 政権 appears. It is more common in formal or journalistic discussions, so hearing it in news reports or reading it in political articles can help you understand its use better. If you are studying Japanese, it is worth noting phrases like "政権交代" (seiken kōtai, "change of government") to expand your political vocabulary.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 政治権力 (Seijikenryoku) - Political power
• 政治力 (Seijiryoku) - Political capacity
• 政治支配 (Seijishihai) - Political domain
• 政治的支配力 (Seijiteki shihairyoku) - Political power dominance
• 政治的権力 (Seijiteki kenryoku) - Political authority
• 政治権威 (Seijiken’i) - Recognized political authority
• 政治支配権 (Seijishihai-ken) - Political domain rights
• 政治的権限 (Seijiteki ken’gen) - Limitation of political authority
• 政治的権威 (Seijiteki ken’i) - Political authority with recognition
• 政権権力 (Seiken kenryoku) - Power of the government
• 政権支配力 (Seiken shihairyoku) - Government's control capacity

政権

Romaji: seiken
Kana: せいけん
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n1

Translation / Meaning: administration; political power

Meaning in English: administration;political power

Definition: The duties of a national leader or government.

Example Sentences - (政権) seiken

See below some example sentences:

野党は政権を批判する。

Yatou wa seiken wo hihan suru

The opposition criticizes the government.

The opposition criticizes the government.

• 野党 - opposition party
• は - Topic particle
• 政権 - government, administration
• を - direct object particle
• 批判する - criticize, condemn

与党は政権を握っている。

Yotou wa seiken wo nigitte iru

The ruling party is in power.

The ruling party is maintaining the government.

• 与党 - ruling party
• は - Topic particle
• 政権 - government
• を - direct object particle
• 握っている - holding / controlling

政権交代が起こった。

Seihen kōtai ga okotta

There was a change of government.

A change of government occurred.

• 政権交代 - change of government
• が - subject particle
• 起こった - occurred