共産主義
kyōsanshugi[kʲo̞ːsã̠ɰ̃ɕɨɡʲi]
The English word 'communism' is translated into Japanese as 共産主義 (kyōsanshugi). Wiktionary also lists コミュニズム (komyunizumu).
Meaning: ideology/philosophy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 共産主義 | kyōsanshugi | [kʲo̞ːsã̠ɰ̃ɕɨɡʲi] (narrow) |
| コミュニズム | komyunizumu | [ko̞mʲɨɲ̟izɨmɯ̟] (narrow) |
共産主義 can be used to directly express communism in Japanese. It is the direct ideological counterpart to 資本主義, which means capitalism.
Which one should you use?
共産主義 is the standard term for the political ideology. In contrast, コミュニズム is a phonetic loanword from English that is much less common in academic or formal political discussions.
How do you pronounce it?
kyōsanshugi
Did you know?
- The suffix 主義 in 共産主義 can be applied to almost any noun to create an 'ism'. It allows Japanese speakers to instantly turn hobbies or personal obsessions into a formal philosophy by adding it to the end of a word.
- The character 共 in 共産主義 means 'together' or 'common'. It is the same character used in 共和制 to describe a republic, linking the idea of common ownership to a representative form of government.
- The term 共産主義 is composed of the characters for 'together', 'produce', 'main/primary' and 'principle'.
Examples in context
- 私の生きているうちに共産主義が効力を持つことは無いだろう。Communism will never be reached in my lifetime.This sentence uses 共産主義 to discuss the reach of communism during a lifetime.Tatoeba #4943 by bunbuku, translation #1532 by soredewa
- 一匹の妖怪がヨーロッパを徘徊している。共産主義という妖怪が。A spectre is haunting Europe the spectre of communism.This sentence uses 共産主義 in a metaphorical context regarding a spectre haunting Europe.Tatoeba #394391 by blay_paul, translation #394393 by blay_paul
- 資本主義とは人間による人間の搾取である。共産主義はその真逆だ。Capitalism is the exploitation of man by man. Communism is the exact opposite.This sentence uses 共産主義 to contrast it with capitalism.Tatoeba #936306 by thyc244, translation #433656 by Clavain
- マルクス・レーニン主義は共産主義の一形態です。Marxism-Leninism is one form of communism.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their political science class.
- 陽葵 Himari今日の授業は共産主義についてでしたか？Kyō no jugyō wa kyōsanshugi ni tsuite deshita ka?Was today's class about communism?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、共産主義の歴史を学びました。Hai, kyōsanshugi no rekishi o manabimashita.Yes, we studied the history of communism.
- 陽葵 Himari陽太さんは、どう思いましたか？Yōta-san wa, dō omoimashita ka?Yōta, what did you think about it?
- 陽太 Yotaとても難しい思想だと思いました。Totemo muzukashii shisō da to omoimashita.I thought it was a very difficult ideology.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “communism” translations and entries 共産主義, コミュニズム, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
