How to Say "Politics" in Japanese

政治

seiji[se̞ːʑi]

The English word "politics" is translated into Japanese as 政治 (seiji).

政治 refers to the methodology and activities associated with running a government. It is the most common and standard term for politics in Japanese.

Meaning: a methodology and activities associated with running a government (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The word is composed of the characters 政, meaning government or administration and 治, meaning to rule or govern.

Adding the suffix -ka (家) to 政治 creates the word for a person who practices politics, which is 政治家 (politician).

seiji

The character 《治》 in 政治 is the same character used in the word for 'to cure' or 'to heal', implying that governing is akin to bringing a society into a healthy state.
Because discussing 政治 can be seen as overly confrontational or divisive, many Japanese people use vague language or avoid the topic entirely in social settings to maintain 和 (harmony).
In Japan, the word 政治 is often used in the phrase 政治的 to describe not just government activities, but also any strategic maneuvering or 'office politics' within a company.

私は政治が大嫌いだ。
I abhor politics.
This sentence is useful for expressing a strong dislike for 政治.
Tatoeba #155571 by bunbuku, translation #258967 by Eldad
彼らは政治に無関心だ。
They are indifferent to politics.
This sentence is useful for describing indifference toward 政治.
Tatoeba #96744 by small_snow, translation #306959 by Zifre
彼は政治談義が好きだ。
He loves talking about politics.
This sentence is useful for describing an interest in discussing 政治.
Tatoeba #2302578 by e4zh1nmcz, translation #2299508 by Hybrid
政治の問題について話し合いましょう。
Let's discuss political issues.
政治の不信感が拡大しています。
Distrust in politics is growing.
政治って難しいよね。
Politics is difficult, isn't it?
政治に関してどう思う？
What do you think about politics?
35 more sentences on Tatoeba

Misaki and Hiroto are talking about their university majors.

美咲 Misaki

大学で政治を勉強していますか？
Daigaku de seiji o benkyō shite imasu ka?
Are you studying politics at university?
大翔 Hiroto

いいえ、政治ではなく経済を専攻しています。
Iie, seiji dewa naku keizai o senkō shite imasu.
No, I'm majoring in economics, not politics.
美咲 Misaki

そうなんですね。政治は難しそうです。
Sō nan desu ne. Seiji wa muzukashisō desu.
I see. Politics seems difficult.
大翔 Hiroto

確かに、政治は複雑だと思います。
Tashika ni, seiji wa fukuzatsu da to omoimasu.
True, I think politics is complex.

Sources

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