民主 (mínzhǔ)

民主 refers to the political system in which power is vested in the people, and also describes the quality of being democratic or open to collective decision-making.

Meanings

[noun] democracy; democratic system
[adj] democratic; based on popular participation

Example Sentences

民主是许多国家政治制度的核心。 Mínzhǔ shì xǔduō guójiā zhèngzhì zhìdù de héxīn. Democracy is the core of the political system in many countries.

这次会议的讨论非常民主，每个人都有发言机会。 Zhè cì huìyì de tǎolùn fēicháng mínzhǔ, měi gè rén dōu yǒu fāyán jīhuì. The discussion in this meeting was very democratic; everyone had a chance to speak.

他们呼吁建立一个更加民主的社会。 Tāmen hūyù jiànlì yī gè gèngjiā mínzhǔ de shèhuì. They called for the establishment of a more democratic society.

民主制度需要公民的积极参与。 Mínzhǔ zhìdù xūyào gōngmín de jījí cānyù. A democratic system requires the active participation of citizens.

该组织以民主方式选出了新领导人。 Gāi zǔzhī yǐ mínzhǔ fāngshì xuǎnchūle xīn lǐngdǎorén. The organization elected a new leader in a democratic manner.

促进民主和法治是国际社会的共同目标。 Cùjìn mínzhǔ hé fǎzhì shì guójì shèhuì de gòngtóng mùbiāo. Promoting democracy and the rule of law is a common goal of the international community.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
民主制度	democratic system
民主选举	democratic election
民主决策	democratic decision-making
民主社会	democratic society
推进民主	promote democracy
民主与法治	democracy and rule of law

Usage Notes

民主 functions as both a noun and an adjective in Chinese. When used as a noun, it refers to the concept or system of democracy. When used as an adjective before a noun, it describes something as having democratic characteristics (e.g., 民主的决定 -- a democratic decision).

In everyday informal contexts, 民主 can also describe a fair or open process, such as a meeting where all voices are heard, not just the political system. This extended usage is common in Chinese organizational and workplace settings.

Memory Hook

民 means "the people" and 主 means "master/in charge" -- democracy is literally "the people are in charge."