党 means “party, faction”

とう · tou

Also: clique

Kun'yomi (Japanese reading)

なかま, むら

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

トウ

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 6 · 10 strokes

The story

An elder brother (兄) under a roof (冖) with sparks (⺌) flying overhead: picture a back room where like minds gather and argue. 党 is a political party, like the ruling 与党 or the 野党 opposition, and 甘党, the sweet party, is anyone with a sweet tooth.

Used in 政党 (seitou, political party), 与党 (yotou, ruling party), and 野党 (yatou, opposition party)

More from Halls of Government

• 協 cooperation
• 総 total
• 領 territory
• 府 government office
• 委 committee
• 団 group
• 勢 force
• 副 vice-
• 省 ministry
• 禁 prohibit
• 署 public office
• 則 rule

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Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.