Definitions

zhèng (noun) government; politics

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 政 is a phono-semantic compound where the left component 正 contributes both the pronunciation and the core meaning of "correctness" or "uprightness". The right radical 攵 depicts a hand holding a tool or implement, symbolizing action or enforcement. Together, this combination originally conveyed the idea of enforcing correctness, establishing order, or administering discipline. From this foundational concept of governance through enforcement, the character’s meaning evolved into its primary modern senses: politics, government, or public administration. It remains a central element in terms related to state policy, administration, and systems of governance.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Spring and Autumn (~600 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Warring States (~300 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Jin dynasty (266-316 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

府很重要。

zhèng fǔ hěn zhòng yào.

The government is very important.

治课很有趣。

zhèng zhì kè hěn yǒu qù.

The politics class is very interesting.

他从事行工作。

tā cóng shì xíng zhèng gōng zuò.

He works in administration.

策需要调整。

zhèng cè xū yào tiáo zhěng.

Policies need adjustment.

党之间合作。

zhèng dǎng zhī jiān hé zuò.

Political parties cooperate with each other.

府官员出席了会议。

zhèng fǔ guān yuán chū xí le huì yì.

Government officials attended the meeting.

治体制改革复杂。

zhèng zhì tǐ zhì gǎi gé fù zá.

Political system reform is complex.

效率直接影响经济发展。

xíng zhèng xiào lǜ zhí jiē yǐng xiǎng jīng jì fā zhǎn.

Administrative efficiency directly affects economic development.