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政 (まつりごと) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word Freq. Frequency Top 10,000 Meanings 1
noun
government ; rule ; administration
formal or literary
Formal or literary term for the act of governing or the system of government. Often used in historical, political, or elevated contexts. The reading せい is more common in compounds.
He went to the capital aspiring to a career in government.
Similar words 政せい 治じ The common modern word for politics or government. 政 (まつりごと) is more formal, literary, or historical.
行ぎょう 政せい Refers specifically to administration or the executive branch, while 政 (まつりごと) can encompass the broader concept of governance.
Etymology Originally a compound of 祭り (matsuri, 'ritual, festival') and 事 (koto, 'thing, matter'), reflecting the ancient belief that governing was inseparable from religious rites. The on'yomi せい is used in compounds.