Copyright © 2026 Kotomora. All Rights Reserved.
官尊民卑 (かんそんみんぴ) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
putting officials above the people ; statism
yojijukugo (four-character idiom)
A yojijukugo expressing the idea that government officials and bureaucrats are treated as superior to ordinary citizens. Often used in political or social criticism.
He criticized the mindset of treating bureaucrats as more important than the people.
Kanji 官 bureaucrat, the government, organ 尊 revered, valuable, precious 民 people, nation, subjects Similar words 官かん 僚りょう 主しゅ 義ぎ 官僚主義 refers to bureaucratism or red-tape, focusing on rigid adherence to rules and hierarchy within an organization, while 官尊民卑 specifically describes the social attitude of valuing officials over ordinary people.
Etymology A yojijukugo composed of 官 (official), 尊 (respect), 民 (people), and 卑 (lowly). The exact historical origin is uncertain, but it reflects a long-standing critique of bureaucratic elitism.