在野 (zài yě) — to be in opposition (political), to be out of power

Definition

Political term meaning 'to be out of office / in opposition' — used for a party or politician not currently in power, often waiting to return. The literal 'in the countryside' sense is archaic.

verb
to be in opposition (political)to be out of power
Easily confused

Examples

  • 在野。
    Zhè ge zhèng dǎng yǐ jīng zài yě duō nián le.
    This political party has been in opposition for many years.
  • 在野，。
    Zài zài yě qī jiān, tā men tí chū le hěn duō gǎi gé fāng àn.
    During their time in opposition, they proposed many reform plans.
  • 在野。
    Tā zài yě shí shì yí wèi hěn yǒu yǐng xiǎng lì de yì yuán.
    When he was in opposition, he was a very influential member of parliament.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

在zàibe in
野yěcountryside

“在” be in and “野” countryside together mean being out of power.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Open 在 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
田田tiánfield
土土tǔearth
Sound part声符shēngfú
予
予yǔ野yě
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

野 combines 田 (field) above 土 (earth) to show open country, with 予 giving the sound.

Open 野 →
Appears in
Government & Politics

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