政府

せいふ

government, administration

JLPT N3

Character Breakdown

Understanding 政府 (zhèngfǔ)

The word 政府 refers to the government or administrative authority of a country or region. It is a formal term commonly used in news, politics, and official contexts.

Usage and Nuance

When using 政府, speakers often imply the official institutions responsible for governance, policy-making, and public administration. It is not used for informal leadership or organizations.

Common Collocations

  • 政府政策 (government policy): refers to policies enacted by the government.
  • 政府部门 (government departments): administrative divisions within the government.
  • 政府 (government officials): people who work in government positions.

These collocations highlight the formal and institutional nature of 政府.

Register and Tone

The term is neutral and formal, suitable for written and spoken language in serious discussions about politics, administration, or public affairs.

Avoiding Confusion

Do not confuse 政府 with 政治 (politics) or (political party). 政府 specifically denotes the governing body or administration, not the broader political process or parties.

Example Sentences

The government is formulating new economic policies.

Many people express concern about the government's transparency.

Government departments need to strengthen supervision of environmental