民主 (mínzhǔ) — democracy; democratic

民主 (mínzhǔ)

民主 means democracy as a political system and democratic as an adjective. In Chinese discourse, it carries both the universally recognized political meaning (rule by the people through elections and representation) and a broader sense of openness and equality in decision-making. It is a core term in political science, history, and social commentary.

Meanings

1. [n] democracy (a system of government by the people)
2. [adj] democratic, open, egalitarian (characterized by participation and equality)

Example Sentences

民主制度的真正考验在于它能否有效保护少数群体免受多数人意志的压制。 Mínzhǔ zhìdù de zhēnzhèng kǎoyàn zàiyú tā néng fǒu yǒuxiào bǎohù shǎoshù qúntǐ miǎnshòu duōshù rén yìzhì de yāzhì. The real test of a democratic system lies in whether it can effectively protect minority groups from the tyranny of the majority.

协商民主是在多元社会中寻求共识的重要途径，有助于弥合代议制民主的局限。 Xiéshāng mínzhǔ shì zài duōyuán shèhuì zhōng xúnqiú gòngshí de zhòngyào tújìng, yǒuzhù yú míhé dàiyì zhì mínzhǔ de júxiàn. Deliberative democracy is an important pathway for seeking consensus in a pluralistic society, helping to bridge the limitations of representative democracy.

这位领导人以民主、平等的工作风格赢得了团队成员的普遍尊重。 Zhè wèi lǐngdǎo rén yǐ mínzhǔ, píngděng de gōngzuò fēnggé yíngdé le tuánduì chéngyuán de pǔbiàn zūnzhòng. This leader earned universal respect from team members with a democratic and egalitarian working style.

民主不仅是一种政治安排，更是一种需要公民积极参与才能维系的生活方式。 Mínzhǔ bùjǐn shì yī zhǒng zhèngzhì ānpái, gèng shì yī zhǒng xūyào gōngmín jījí cānyù cái néng wéixì de shēnghuó fāngshì. Democracy is not only a political arrangement but also a way of life that can only be sustained through active citizen participation.

历史表明，民主的巩固需要经济发展、法治完善与公民文化的共同支撑。 Lìshǐ biǎomíng, mínzhǔ de gǒnggù xūyào jīngjì fāzhǎn, fǎzhì wánshàn yǔ gōngmín wénhuà de gòngtóng zhīchēng. History shows that the consolidation of democracy requires the joint support of economic development, rule of law, and civic culture.

网络时代的直接民主实践为公民参与公共决策提供了前所未有的技术条件。 Wǎngluò shídài de zhíjiē mínzhǔ shíjiàn wèi gōngmín cānyù gōnggòng juécè tígōng le qián suǒ wèi yǒu de jìshù tiáojiàn. Direct democracy practices in the internet age provide unprecedented technical conditions for citizens to participate in public decision-making.

Collocations

Usage Notes

民主 in Chinese political discourse is a complex and contested term. In the PRC context, it is often used in compounds like 人民民主 (people's democracy) or 协商民主 (deliberative democracy) with specific ideological content. At C1 level, learners should be aware of the divergent connotations: in Western political science, 民主 implies electoral competition and liberal freedoms; in Chinese official discourse, it may emphasize consultation, collective interests, and procedural participation.

As an adjective, 民主 (democratic/egalitarian) can modify management styles: 民主管理 (participatory management), 民主作风 (democratic work style).

Memory Hook

民 (people) + 主 (master/to rule) — 民主 means the people are the masters, the people rule.