1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “政” (sei) primarily means “politics” or “government.” It represents the concept of governance and the administration of public affairs.
2. Formation and Radical
Formation of the Kanji: The kanji “政” is a combination of two elements: the radical “正” (meaning “correct” or “right”) and the phonetic component “政” itself. It is classified as a compound character (会意文字), which combines meaning and sound.
Radical: The radical for “政” is “正,” which signifies correctness and order, reflecting the idea of proper governance.
3. Examples of Usage
Common Words and Phrases: Some frequently used words that include “政” are:
- 政治 (seiji) – politics
- 政権 (seiken) – administration or regime
- 政策 (seisaku) – policy
Example Sentences in Daily Conversation:
- 最近の政治についてどう思いますか？ (Saikin no seiji ni tsuite dou omoimasu ka?) – What do you think about the recent politics?
- 新しい政策が発表されました。 (Atarashii seisaku ga happyou saremashita.) – A new policy has been announced.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar Kanji: A kanji with a similar meaning is “治” (ji), which means “to govern” or “to rule.” While “政” focuses on the political aspect, “治” emphasizes the act of governing itself.
Antonyms: An antonym for “政” is “乱” (ran), which means “chaos” or “disorder,” representing the opposite of organized governance.
5. Cultural and Historical Background
Relation to Japanese Culture: The concept of “政” is deeply rooted in Japanese history, where governance has evolved through various political systems, including feudalism and modern democracy.
Proverbs and Idioms: One common saying is “政は民のために” (Sei wa min no tame ni), which translates to “Politics is for the people,” emphasizing the importance of serving the public in governance.