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独裁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
独裁dúcáidictatorshipHSK 6, v, 21 strokes, rank #14696, Hard
dúcái(du2cai2)du cai T2
  1. 1dictatorship
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March 24, 2026

独裁(獨裁)dúcái(du2cai2)

独裁 (dúcái) refers to a form of government where absolute power is concentrated in a single leader or a small group. This term is commonly used in political discussions to describe authoritarian regimes that limit political pluralism and civil liberties.

Strokes21Frequency#14696DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In Chinese history, the term 独裁 is often associated with various regimes, particularly during periods of upheaval, such as the Cultural Revolution. Understanding this term provides insights into contemporary discussions about governance in China.

Memory tip

Think of 独 (dú) as 'solo' or 'alone', and 蔡 (cái) sounds like 'sigh'. Imagine a single leader 'sighing' alone while making all the decisions—this captures the essence of dictatorial power.

Meanings of 独裁

dúcái(du2cai2)
1dictatorship
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About 独裁

独裁Simplified
獨裁Traditional
21Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#14696Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6TOCFLL5HSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1

Podcast: 独裁

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Podcast: 独裁

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AI study notes for 独裁

Quick Contrast

独裁 (dúcái) vs 专制 (zhuānzhì) — use 独裁 when emphasizing the concentration of power in a single leader, while 专制 focuses more on the authoritarian nature of the regime.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 独裁 with related terms like 专制 (zhuānzhì), which also means authoritarianism but carries slightly different connotations. This term is more formal and is often used in political discourse, making it less suitable for casual conversation.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 独裁 connects with other political terms you may encounter, such as 政权 (zhèngquán, regime) or 民主 (mínzhǔ, democracy). Focus on understanding its use in context, particularly in news articles or political discussions.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 独裁 interchangeably with other related terms like 专制 (zhuānzhì) without recognizing the subtle differences. Always ensure you're using the term that best fits the context of your discussion.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 独裁

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Component characters

独dúalone
HSK 79 strokes犭
View full entry
裁cáito cut out (as a dress)
HSK 712 strokes衣
View full entry

How to say dictatorship in Chinese

“dictatorship” in Chinese is独裁dúcái

独裁 (dúcái) refers to a form of government where absolute power is concentrated in a single leader or a small group. This term is commonly used in political discussions to describe authoritarian regimes that limit political pluralism and civil liberties.

When to use 独裁

Be careful not to confuse 独裁 with related terms like 专制 (zhuānzhì), which also means authoritarianism but carries slightly different connotations. This term is more formal and is often used in political discourse, making it less suitable for casual conversation.

独裁 or something close to it

独裁 (dúcái) vs 专制 (zhuānzhì) — use 独裁 when emphasizing the concentration of power in a single leader, while 专制 focuses more on the authoritarian nature of the regime.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 独裁 interchangeably with other related terms like 专制 (zhuānzhì) without recognizing the subtle differences. Always ensure you're using the term that best fits the context of your discussion.

Write 独裁

独
裁

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Cultural Notes for 独裁

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, dictatorship is often seen as a negative term associated with oppression, while in some contexts in China, discussions around leadership styles may present a more nuanced view of authority.

Frequently asked questions about 独裁

While generally used negatively to describe oppressive regimes, context matters; some may argue for strong leadership in specific situations.

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