political
/pəˈlɪtɪkl/ (bre, ipa) · /pəˈlɪtɪkl/ (ame, ipa) · /pə-ˈli-ti-kəl/ (ame, mw)
political — adjective
- politicalpositive
- more politicalcomparative
- most politicalsuperlative
1. connected with how a country, city, or party is run, including government decisi
connected with how a country, city, or party is run, including government decisions, public debate, and competition between parties.
The newspaper printed a long political interview with the prime minister.
political + noun: interview / debate / adviser
Young voters are angry about rising rents and other political issues.
The song became a political symbol during the student protests in Seoul.
City leaders held a political debate before the final budget vote.
Nadia's father left television to work as a political adviser.
- governmental
narrower; mainly about state institutions and official action
- public
broader; can describe society and services, not only politics
- partisan
narrower and often negative; stresses support for one party or side
- apolitical
not interested in or connected with politics
- nonpolitical
outside politics rather than against it
文法句型
political + noun
be + political
用法筆記
Usually before nouns such as party, debate, reform, system, and adviser. Distinguish from sense 2 (INTERNAL POWER): this sense stays tied to public politics and government, not office power games inside one group.
常見錯誤
2. used about a decision or action inside a school, office, club, or other group wh
used about a decision or action inside a school, office, club, or other group when it is really about gaining influence, protecting status, or helping one side.
The board delayed the vote for political reasons, not practical ones.
fixed phrase: for political reasons
Choosing Mark's cousin as manager looked more political than fair.
At the museum, even the seating plan became political before the director retired.
The club's sudden rule change was a political move against newer members.
During the office changes, every promotion felt political to the sales team.
- strategic
broader and often neutral; not always about status or influence
- calculating
stresses cold self-advantage more than group power
- self-serving
stronger and more negative; focuses on personal benefit
- principled
guided by what seems right rather than advantage
- fair-minded
trying to treat people equally
文法句型
for political reasons
be + political
political + move / decision / fight
用法筆記
Often critical rather than neutral. Common with nouns like reasons, move, fight, appointment, and promotion. Distinguish from sense 1 (GOVERNMENT MATTERS): the setting may be a workplace or club with no real link to national politics.