共和(きょうわ)

共和(きょうわ) refers to a system of government in which power is held by elected representatives, as opposed to a monarchy. It rarely stands alone — it almost always appears in compounds.

Forms

共(きょう) (together) + 和(わ) (harmony).

Compounds

• 共和国(きょうわこく): republic (as a country name)
• 共和制(きょうわせい): republican system of government
• 共和党(きょうわとう): Republican Party (in U.S. politics)
• 共和政(きょうわせい): republican government

Country name examples

• ドイツ連邦(れんぽう)共和国(きょうわこく): Federal Republic of Germany
• 中華人民共和国(ちゅうかじんみんきょうわこく): People's Republic of China
• 大韓民国(だいかんみんこく): Republic of Korea (uses 民国(みんこく) instead)

Similar words

• 君主制(くんしゅせい): monarchy
• 王政(おうせい): royal government