民主 (mínzhǔ)

民主 refers to democracy as a political system in which power rests with the people. As an adjective, it describes a decision-making process that is open, fair, and participatory.

Meanings

n democracy
adj democratic, fair and open

Example Sentences

民主是现代社会的重要价值观。 Mínzhǔ shì xiàndài shèhuì de zhòngyào jiàzhíguān. Democracy is an important value in modern society.

这次会议以民主的方式做出了决定。 Zhè cì huìyì yǐ mínzhǔ de fāngshì zuòchū le juédìng. This meeting made its decision in a democratic manner.

他们争取民主权利，推动社会进步。 Tāmen zhēngqǔ mínzhǔ quánlì, tuīdòng shèhuì jìnbù. They fought for democratic rights and promoted social progress.

公民参与是民主制度的核心。 Gōngmín cānyù shì mínzhǔ zhìdù de héxīn. Citizen participation is the core of the democratic system.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
民主制度 (mínzhǔ zhìdù)	democratic system
民主选举 (mínzhǔ xuǎnjǔ)	democratic election
民主决策 (mínzhǔ juécè)	democratic decision-making
推进民主 (tuījìn mínzhǔ)	to advance democracy

Usage Notes

民主 literally means "the people as masters." As a noun it refers to the political system; as an adjective (民主的) it describes fair, participatory processes even in non-political contexts such as workplace management. Its antonym in political discourse is 专制 (zhuānzhì, autocracy).

Memory Hook

民 means "the people" and 主 means "master" — in a democracy, the people are the masters.