politics
gb/pˈɑlətˌɪks/ us/pˈɑlətˌɪks/
B1
English
politika, politikai nézetek, politikatudomány, politológia, hatalmi játszmák
NOUN
B1
1
politika
A2
Usage pattern:
in politics; go into politics; politics in [place]
She works in politics and hopes to run for office one day.
A politikában dolgozik, és reméli, hogy egyszer választáson is indulhat.
Local politics can have a big impact on schools and transport.
A helyi politika nagy hatással lehet az iskolákra és a közlekedésre.
The documentary explores how money influences politics.
Learner examples
I read about politics in the news.
A hírekben politikáról olvasok.
He wants to go into politics.
Politikai pályára szeretne lépni.
Common mistake:
Politics is usually treated as singular in modern English: “Politics is complicated,” not “Politics are…”. Also, don’t confuse politics (power and government) with policy (a plan or set of rules).
Meaning
government and public affairs
Collocations
national politics
|local politics
|international politics
|party politics
|a career in politics
|go into politics
|follow politics
|the world of politics
|politics and government
|politics section
Synonyms
government (focuses more on the institutions and people in power than on the wider activity and debate.)
|
public affairs (often used in formal contexts for government-related issues and communication.)
Antonyms
private life (contrasts with public governance and public decision-making.)
Themes
government
|society
|news
Definition
the work and discussion of running a country or city
the activities, ideas, and debates involved in governing a country or community, including elections, parties, and public decision-making
NOUN
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone]’s politics; discuss politics
I don’t always agree with his politics, but I respect him.
Nem mindig értek egyet a politikai nézeteivel, de tisztelem őt.
Their politics shifted after they moved to the city.
Megváltoztak a politikai nézeteik, miután a városba költöztek.
We try not to discuss politics at family dinners.
Learner examples
Her politics are very liberal.
Nagyon liberálisak a politikai nézetei.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use “politics” when they mean “policies” (specific plans). Politics = beliefs and power; policy = a plan or rule.
Meaning
political beliefs and opinions
Collocations
his politics
|her politics
|their politics
|left-wing politics
|right-wing politics
|liberal politics
|conservative politics
|politics differ
|talk about politics
|avoid politics
Synonyms
ideology (more formal; emphasizes a structured set of ideas.)
|
political views (more explicit and neutral than politics on its own.)
Antonyms
neutrality (lack of strong political alignment or opinion.)
Themes
society
|opinions
|relationships
Definition
someone’s ideas about how a country should be run
a person’s or group’s political views, principles, or ideology
NOUN
B2
3
politológia
C1
Usage pattern:
study politics; a degree in politics
She studied politics at university and then joined a nonprofit.
Politikatudományt tanult az egyetemen, majd csatlakozott egy nonprofit szervezethez.
Our politics class focused on elections and voter behavior.
A politikatudományi óránk a választásokkal és a választói viselkedéssel foglalkozott.
He’s reading a book on politics and international relations.
Learner examples
I study politics at college.
Politikatudományt tanulok a főiskolán.
Meaning
the subject of politics
Collocations
study politics
|politics degree
|politics course
|politics class
|politics department
|politics professor
|major in politics
|politics student
|politics lecture
|politics seminar
Synonyms
political science (common name for the subject, especially in the US.)
Antonyms
nonacademic (not related to study or university learning.)
Themes
education
|government
Definition
the school subject about government and power
the academic study of government, power, political systems, and political behavior
NOUN
B2
4
Usage pattern:
the politics of [organization/group]; internal politics
She’s great at her job but hates the politics in the office.
Nagyon jó a munkájában, de utálja a munkahelyi hatalmi játszmákat.
The politics of the committee delayed the project for months.
A bizottságon belüli hatalmi játszmák hónapokkal késleltették a projektet.
Try not to get pulled into campus politics during your first year.
Learner examples
I don’t like office politics.
Nem szeretem a munkahelyi hatalmi játszmákat.
Common mistake:
This meaning is not about government; it refers to relationships and power at work or in organizations.
Meaning
power struggles inside groups
Collocations
office politics
|workplace politics
|company politics
|internal politics
|campus politics
|navigate politics
|avoid politics
|petty politics
|department politics
|the politics of a team
Synonyms
power struggles (more direct; highlights conflict over control.)
|
intrigue (suggests secret plotting or manipulation.)
Antonyms
transparency (open decision-making without hidden agendas.)
Themes
work
|relationships
|business
Definition
hidden competition for power in a group
competition, negotiation, and sometimes manipulation within an organization or group as people try to gain influence and control decisions
Grammar
Dictionary form
politics
IPA
GB/pˈɑlətˌɪks/
US/pˈɑlətˌɪks/
Syllables & stress
polit - ics (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (polit)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: politics
- Plural: politics
Word family
Core family
Related words
policy
noun B1
politicize
verb C1
Negative and opposite forms
apolitical
adjective
nonpolitical
adjective
Advanced or less common
politicization
noun
Expressions
dirty politics
1/dˈɚti pˈɑlətˌɪks/
fixed phrase
dishonest political tactics
politics using lies or unfair methods
Examples
- The campaign descended into dirty politics and smear ads.
- She resigned after being accused of dirty politics.
- The film shows how dirty politics can destroy trust.
Learner examples
- Dirty politics can damage democracy.
identity politics
1/aɪdˈɛntɪti pˈɑlətˌɪks/
fixed phrase
politics centered on identity
politics focused on social identity groups
Examples
- The debate shifted toward identity politics and representation.
- Some voters feel tired of identity politics in campaign messaging.
- The article examines identity politics in modern democracies.
keep politics out of it
1/kˈip pˈɑlətˌɪks ˈaʊt əv ˈɪt/
fixed phrase
avoid political discussion or influence
don’t talk about politics here
Examples
- Can we keep politics out of it and just talk about the project?
- The teacher asked students to keep politics out of the discussion.
- They tried to keep politics out of the family reunion.
Learner examples
- Let’s keep politics out of it.
office politics
1/ˈɔfɪs pˈɑlətˌɪks/
fixed phrase
power games at work
hidden competition and relationships at work
Examples
- He avoids office politics and focuses on his tasks.
- Office politics got worse after the promotion was announced.
- She learned to handle office politics without taking sides.
Learner examples
- Office politics can be stressful.
party politics
1/pˈɑɹti pˈɑlətˌɪks/
fixed phrase
competition between political parties
politics focused on political parties and winning
Examples
- The issue became trapped in party politics before the election.
- She tried to rise above party politics and talk about jobs.
- Committee meetings were dominated by party politics.
Learner examples
- I don’t like party politics.
play politics
1/plˈeɪ pˈɑlətˌɪks/
idiom
use tactics to gain advantage
to use tricks to get power or advantage
Examples
- He refused to play politics and focused on solving the problem.
- Don’t play politics with people’s jobs to win support.
- They started playing politics instead of working together.
politics as usual
1/pˈɑlətˌɪks ˈæz jˈuʒuəl/
fixed phrase
typical self-interested behavior
the usual disappointing way politicians act
Examples
- They promised change, but it feels like politics as usual.
- The reforms stalled—politics as usual in the capital.
- Voters are tired of politics as usual.
the politics of [something]
1/ðə pˈɑlətˌɪks əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
power dynamics around an issue
the hidden power and interests behind something
Examples
- The book explores the politics of climate policy.
- They underestimated the politics of choosing a new team leader.
- The politics of funding can shape what research gets done.
Learner examples
- We discussed the politics of education.