Translation guide
The English verb 'govern' covers ruling a country, controlling an organization, and determining how something works. Japanese uses different words depending on what is being governed and the nature of the control.
To exercise political authority over a nation, state, or population.
The standard term for governing a country or territory, implying sovereign rule.
The country is governed by a king.
To govern or rule, often with a nuance of maintaining peace and order. Used for historical or traditional rule.
Tokugawa Ieyasu governed Japan during the Edo period.
To dominate or control, often with a negative connotation of oppressive rule. Can also mean to control a market or situation.
A dictator governs the people.
To exercise authority over an institution, company, or set of rules.
To manage or run an organization, emphasizing day-to-day operations.
The school is governed by a board of trustees.
To administer or manage, often used for systems, resources, or rules.
These rules are strictly governed.
To regulate or control through rules, often used in legal or technical contexts.
This industry is governed by the government.
To be the main factor that decides an outcome or behavior.
To influence or determine, often used for factors that sway decisions or results.
The weather governs the outcome of the match.
To decisively determine or define, emphasizing a strong causal link.
To dominate or control, used metaphorically for abstract forces.
Emotions can govern reason.
In grammar, a word that determines the case or mood of another word.
Used in linguistics to say a verb governs a case. The pattern is '[word] は [case] を支配する'.
This verb governs the accusative case.
統治する is the neutral, modern term for governing a state. 治める implies benevolent or traditional rule, often historical. 支配する can sound oppressive or dominating, so use with care.
In a democracy, the people govern.
The emperor has governed Japan since ancient times.
A military regime governs the country.
支配する often carries a nuance of domination or control against resistance. For neutral governance, prefer 統治する or 運営する.
Childhood experiences govern personality.