垄断 (lǒngduàn) — monopoly; to monopolize

垄断 (lǒngduàn)

垄断 means monopoly or to monopolize -- exclusive control over a market, resource, or activity by one entity, preventing competition.

Meanings

1. [noun] monopoly; exclusive control; domination
2. [verb] to monopolize; to dominate exclusively; to corner (a market)

Example Sentences

反垄断法旨在防止企业过度集中市场权力。 Fǎn lǒngduàn fǎ zhǐ zài fángzhǐ qǐyè guòdù jízhōng shìchǎng quánlì. Antitrust law aims to prevent companies from concentrating market power excessively.

这家公司垄断了该地区的电信市场。 Zhè jiā gōngsī lǒngduàn le gāi dìqū de diànxìn shìchǎng. This company monopolized the telecommunications market in the region.

国家对某些行业实行垄断，以确保国家安全。 Guójiā duì mǒuxiē hángyè shíxíng lǒngduàn, yǐ quèbǎo guójiā ānquán. The state maintains monopolies in certain industries to ensure national security.

垄断行为损害了消费者的利益和市场竞争。 Lǒngduàn xíngwéi sǔnhài le xiāofèi zhě de lìyì hé shìchǎng jìngzhēng. Monopolistic behavior harms the interests of consumers and market competition.

打破垄断有助于激励创新和降低价格。 Dǎpò lǒngduàn yǒuzhù yú jīlì chuàngxīn hé jiàngdī jiàgé. Breaking up monopolies helps stimulate innovation and lower prices.

历史上，许多重要资源曾被少数人垄断。 Lìshǐ shàng, xǔduō zhòngyào zīyuán céng bèi shǎoshù rén lǒngduàn. Historically, many important resources were monopolized by a small number of people.

Collocations

Usage Notes

垄断 is an important term in economics, law, and business. In Chinese economic policy, 反垄断 (antitrust/anti-monopoly) has become increasingly prominent with the regulation of large tech companies. 垄断 can describe market monopolies, information monopolies, or even exclusive social influence.

The characters 垄 (ridge between fields) and 断 (to cut off) historically referred to merchants who set up shop on a ridge to control trade and cut off competition -- an evocative origin for the word "monopoly."

Memory Hook

垄 is a raised ridge that blocks passage, and 断 means to cut off. 垄断 originally meant to stand on a ridge and cut off others from the market -- which is exactly what a monopoly does.