How to say "dictatorship" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 独裁どくさいnoun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe broad term for dictatorship, despotism and autocracy: absolute rule by one person. Reach for it in general talk about a dictatorial regime or period, as in news and history contexts.
- 独裁政治どくさいせいじno-adjectiveDictatorship with the political system made explicit — rule as despotic government. It suits discussion of forms of government or how a state is run; the shorter 独裁 covers the same ground and more.
Choose 独裁 for dictatorship as a general concept — it also covers despotism and autocracy — and 独裁政治 when you want to frame it explicitly as a form of government; the two often overlap in political discussion.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
