在 野(ざいや)

ざいや

noun

out of office; not in power; independent

1. out of office; in opposition; not in power

Being outside the ruling party or government. Used in politics to describe parties or politicians who are not currently in power.

在野(ざいや)政党(せいとう)。

An opposition party.

選挙(せんきょ)で負(ま)けて在野(ざいや)に下(くだ)った。

They lost the election and went into opposition.

在野(ざいや)の立場(たちば)から政府(せいふ)を批判(ひはん)する。

To criticize the government from an opposition standpoint.

2. unaffiliated; independent; outside the establishment

Being outside of official or institutional organizations. Used for scholars, researchers, or professionals who work independently rather than within established institutions.

在野(ざいや)の研究者(けんきゅうしゃ)。

An independent researcher.

大学(だいがく)に属(ぞく)さず在野(ざいや)で研究(けんきゅう)を続(つづ)けている。

They continue their research independently without belonging to a university.

在野(ざいや)の歴史(れきし)研究家(けんきゅうか)が新(あたら)しい史料(しりょう)を発見(はっけん)した。

An independent history researcher discovered new historical documents.

Literally means "being in the field" — i.e., among the common people rather than in the halls of power. Composed of 在(ざい) (being at) and 野(や) (field, the wild). The contrast is with 与党(よとう) (ruling party) in politics, or with institutional affiliation in academic contexts.

Common collocations

在野(ざいや)政党(せいとう): opposition party
在野(ざいや)に下(くだ)る: to go into opposition; to lose power
在野(ざいや)の研究者(けんきゅうしゃ): independent researcher
在野(ざいや)精神(せいしん): spirit of independence (from established power)

Similar words

野党(やとう): opposition party — the standard political term, more common
民間(みんかん): private sector; civilian — broader, not specifically about opposition
無所属(むしょぞく): unaffiliated; independent — specifically about organizational membership
与党(よとう): ruling party
官(かん): government; official sector

Related Words

Compare: 野党(やとう) (opposition party)

Compare: 民間(みんかん) (private sector)

Compare: 無所属(むしょぞく) (unaffiliated)

Compare: 与党(よとう) (ruling party)

general

Added 2026.4.8 23:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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