Meaning
共和 refers to a republic, a form of government where power is held by the people and their elected representatives rather than by a monarch. It can be used as a noun meaning 'republic' or as an adjective meaning 'republican'. The term is widely used in official country names and political discourse.
Usage
This word appears most commonly in formal political contexts and official country names, such as 中华人民共和国 (People's Republic of China) or 法兰西共和国 (French Republic). It's not typically used in casual conversation but is essential for discussing government systems, history, and international relations.
Examples
- 01中华人民共和国成立于1949年。.The People's Republic of China was founded in 1949.
- 02法国是世界上最早建立共和制的国家之一。.France is one of the earliest countries in the world to establish a republican system.
Characters
Common collocations
- 共和国republic
- 共和制republican system
- 共和党Republican Party
- 人民共和国People's Republic
Antonyms
Origin
The term 共和 combines 共 (together/shared) and 和 (harmony), suggesting a system of shared governance and harmonious cooperation. It was adopted in the late Qing Dynasty as a translation for the Western concept of 'republic', first appearing prominently during the 1911 Revolution that established the Republic of China.