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专制 (zhuān zhì) — (adjective) autocratic, dictatorial; (verb) to rule autocratically, to exercise dictatorial control

Definition

Used for governments, rulers, or management styles that concentrate all power in one person or group, with no tolerance for opposition. Carries a strong negative judgement — stricter than 独裁, which fits personal rule or a regime more broadly.

adjective
autocraticdictatorial
verb
to rule autocraticallyto exercise dictatorial control

Examples

  • 专制。
    Hěn duō lì shǐ shū dōu pī píng gǔ dài zhuān zhì zhì dù.
    Many history books criticize ancient autocratic systems.
  • 专制，。
    Zhè ge gōng sī de guǎn lǐ fāng shì tài zhuān zhì le, yuán gōng méi yǒu fā yán quán.
    This company's management style is too autocratic; employees have no say.
  • 专制，。
    Tā zhuān zhì guó jiā jǐ shí nián, zuì zhōng bèi rén mín tuī fān.
    He ruled the country autocratically for decades and was eventually overthrown by the people.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

专zhuānexclusive
制zhìrule

专 suggests exclusive, concentrated control, while 制 refers to rule or system, so the meaning is autocratic rule.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 專; 专 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 專 shows 又, a hand, turning 叀, a spindle; this came to mean gathering several things into one.

Open 专 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

The form 制 pairs 朱 (tree) with 刀 (knife), showing the act of cutting a tree.

Open 制 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Government & Politics

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