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主权
zhǔ quán
sovereignty
国家主权是神圣不可侵犯的。
National sovereignty is sacred and inviolable.
Law
formal
The supreme authority of a state over its territory, people, and government, free from external control.
联合国宪章确认了每个国家的主权平等。
The UN Charter affirms the sovereign equality of all states.
In international law, sovereignty is a fundamental principle governing relations between states.
political
The right of a people to self-determination and governance without foreign interference.
殖民地人民争取主权的斗争从未停止。
The struggle for sovereignty by colonial peoples never ceased.
Often used in discussions of decolonization and national independence movements.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing from similar concepts
主权 (sovereignty) refers to a state's supreme authority, while 自治 (autonomy) refers to self-governance within a larger political entity.
Gold Rule
Core meaning
主权 always implies supreme authority and freedom from external control, whether in legal or political contexts.
Word Origin
From 主 (zhǔ, 'master/control') + 权 (quán, 'right/power'). The concept originates from Western political philosophy but was adopted into Chinese political discourse in the late 19th century during the Self-Strengthening Movement.
Usage Notes
In modern Chinese, 主权 is primarily used in formal political and legal contexts. It is a key concept in discussions of international relations, territorial disputes, and national security.
Word Breakdown
主
master/control
root权
right/power
root汉英词典