lànyòng zhíquán: 滥用职权 - Abuse of Power, Abuse of Authority

• Keywords: lanyong zhiquan, 滥用职权, abuse of power in Chinese, abuse of authority, official misconduct, corruption in China, misuse of position, Chinese legal term, government corruption.
• Summary: Learn about the Chinese term 滥用职权 (lànyòng zhíquán), which means “abuse of power” or “abuse of authority.” This formal and serious term is essential for understanding discussions about corruption, law, and official misconduct in China. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences, helping you grasp how it describes the act of misusing one's official position for personal gain or improper purposes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): làn yòng zhí quán
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object Phrase (often used as a noun)
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: To misuse the power granted by one's official position.
• In a Nutshell: 滥用职权 (lànyòng zhíquán) is a formal term that specifically refers to someone in a position of authority—like a government official or a company manager—illegally or improperly using their power. It's not just about being a bad boss; it implies a serious violation of rules and public trust, often for personal benefit. You'll frequently encounter this term in news reports about anti-corruption campaigns and in legal documents.

• 滥 (làn): To misuse, to be excessive, to overflow. The water radical (氵) on the left hints at a river overflowing its banks—an image of something going beyond its proper limits.
• 用 (yòng): To use. A simple and direct character.
• 职 (zhí): Duty, position, office. This character links the action to a specific professional role or official post.
• 权 (quán): Power, authority. This refers to the legitimate power and influence that comes with a position.

When combined, `滥用 (lànyòng)` means “to abuse” or “misuse.” `职权 (zhíquán)` means “official power” or “the authority of one's post.” Together, 滥用职权 (lànyòng zhíquán) literally and directly means “to abuse the power of one's office.”

The concept of 滥用职权 (lànyòng zhíquán) strikes a deep chord in Chinese culture, which has a long history of centralized government and a strong emphasis on the moral obligations of officials. Traditionally, Confucian ideals promoted the image of the selfless official (君子, jūnzī) who governs with benevolence and righteousness for the good of the people. 滥用职权 is the direct antithesis of this ideal, representing a profound betrayal of public trust and a failure of moral duty. In modern China, the term is a cornerstone of President Xi Jinping's high-profile anti-corruption campaign. Publicly accusing an official of 滥用职权 is not just a legal charge but also a powerful form of social condemnation. Comparison to Western Concepts: While “abuse of power” is a direct translation, the cultural weight can differ. In the West, “abuse of power” might strongly evoke images of violating individual rights or civil liberties. In China, while that is included, 滥用职权 is often more heavily associated with disrupting social order, damaging the collective good, and a moral failing that undermines the legitimacy of the system itself. It is frequently linked with the related idiom `以权谋私 (yǐ quán móu sī)`, “to use power to seek private gain.”

This is a formal and serious term with a strong negative connotation. You will almost never hear it in casual, lighthearted conversation.

• In the News and Legal System: This is the most common context. 滥用职权 is an official criminal charge in China. News headlines and reports will use it to describe officials who are under investigation or have been sentenced.
• In Business: In a corporate setting, it can be used to describe a manager who, for example, promotes an unqualified relative, uses company resources for personal projects, or pressures employees into doing personal favors. Even in this context, it's a very strong accusation.
• In General Discussion: When people discuss politics, corruption, or social justice, 滥用职权 is the precise term to describe officials misusing their authority.

• Example 1:
  • 这位官员因滥用职权和贪污被判了十年。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi guānyuán yīn lànyòng zhíquán hé tānwū bèi pàn le shí nián.
  • English: This official was sentenced to ten years for abuse of power and corruption.
  • Analysis: A classic example from a news report or legal context. It shows how `滥用职权` is often paired with other crimes like `贪污` (tānwū, corruption/embezzlement).
• Example 2:
  • 任何形式的滥用职权都是对公共信任的背叛。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé xíngshì de lànyòng zhíquán dōu shì duì gōnggòng xìnrèn de bèipàn.
  • English: Any form of abusing one's power is a betrayal of public trust.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the term in a more abstract, moral sense. It defines the core problem with this action.
• Example 3:
  • 公司的调查发现，经理滥用职权为亲属牟利。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de diàochá fāxiàn, jīnglǐ lànyòng zhíquán wèi qīnshǔ móulì.
  • English: The company's investigation found that the manager abused his authority to benefit his relatives.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the term's use in a corporate context. “牟利” (móulì) means “to seek profit.”
• Example 4:
  • 我们必须建立一个有效的系统来防止官员滥用职权。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bìxū jiànlì yīgè yǒuxiào de xìtǒng lái fángzhǐ guānyuán lànyòng zhíquán.
  • English: We must establish an effective system to prevent officials from abusing their power.
  • Analysis: A common sentence structure in policy discussions or editorials, focusing on prevention.
• Example 5:
  • 他被指控滥用职权，将政府合同授予了他朋友的公司。
  • Pinyin: Tā bèi zhǐkòng lànyòng zhíquán, jiāng zhèngfǔ hétóng shòuyǔ le tā péngyǒu de gōngsī.
  • English: He was accused of abusing his authority by awarding a government contract to his friend's company.
  • Analysis: This gives a very specific example of what constitutes `滥用职权`.
• Example 6:
  • 反腐运动的主要目标之一就是打击滥用职权的行为。
  • Pinyin: Fǎnfǔ yùndòng de zhǔyào mùbiāo zhī yī jiùshì dǎjī lànyòng zhíquán de xíngwéi.
  • English: One of the main goals of the anti-corruption campaign is to crack down on acts of power abuse.
  • Analysis: This directly links the term to modern Chinese political campaigns.
• Example 7:
  • 如果你觉得你的上司在滥用职权，你应该向人力资源部报告。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ juéde nǐ de shàngsi zài lànyòng zhíquán, nǐ yīnggāi xiàng rénlì zīyuán bù bàogào.
  • English: If you feel your boss is abusing their authority, you should report it to the HR department.
  • Analysis: A practical, advisory sentence showing its application in a professional environment.
• Example 8:
  • 公民有权监督政府，防止权力被滥用。
  • Pinyin: Gōngmín yǒu quán jiāndū zhèngfǔ, fángzhǐ quánlì bèi lànyòng.
  • English: Citizens have the right to supervise the government to prevent power from being abused.
  • Analysis: Here, the full four-character term isn't used, but `滥用` is used in a context where `职权` is implied. Note the passive structure `被滥用` (bèi lànyòng - to be abused).
• Example 9:
  • 这部电影讲述了一个记者揭露市长滥用职权的故事。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng jiǎngshù le yīgè jìzhě jiēlù shìzhǎng lànyòng zhíquán de gùshì.
  • English: This movie tells the story of a journalist who exposes the mayor's abuse of power.
  • Analysis: Shows how the term can be used in media and storytelling.
• Example 10:
  • 他的行为已经构成了滥用职权罪。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi yǐjīng gòuchéng le lànyòng zhíquán zuì.
  • English: His actions already constitute the crime of “abuse of power.”
  • Analysis: A highly formal, legal sentence. `罪 (zuì)` means “crime,” so `滥用职权罪` is the official name of the criminal charge.

• Mistake 1: Using it for non-official power.
  • A common mistake is to use 滥用职权 to describe a parent being too strict or a teacher being unfair in a general sense. This is incorrect. The term is tied to a 职 (zhí)—a formal post or office.
  • Incorrect: `我的爸爸滥用职权，不让我出去玩。` (My dad abused his power and won't let me go out.)
  • Reason: A father's role is not a formal `职权`. A better, though still formal, term might be `滥用权威 (lànyòng quánwēi)`, “abuse of authority” in a broader sense. More colloquially, you'd just say he's too strict (`太严了, tài yán le`).
• Mistake 2: Confusing it with `贪污 (tānwū)`.
  • 滥用职权 (lànyòng zhíquán) is the *act* of misusing official power.
  • 贪污 (tānwū) is embezzlement or graft—the *act* of illegally taking money or property entrusted to you.
  • They are very related but not identical. Abusing one's power (e.g., approving a fake project) can be the *method* used to embezzle money (`贪污`), but one can also abuse power without a financial motive (e.g., promoting an unqualified family member). They are often prosecuted together.

• 腐败 (fǔbài) - Corruption. This is the broad umbrella term under which `滥用职权` falls.
• 贪污 (tānwū) - Embezzlement; graft. A specific type of corruption often enabled by abusing power.
• 以权谋私 (yǐ quán móu sī) - To use power for personal gain. An idiom that describes the motivation or result of `滥用职权`.
• 渎职 (dúzhí) - Dereliction of duty; malpractice. This is about *failing* to perform your official duties correctly, often through negligence. It's different from `滥用职权`, which is an *improper action* rather than inaction or negligence.
• 徇私舞弊 (xùnsī wǔbì) - To bend the law and engage in fraud for personal gain. A very specific type of illegal act that is a form of `滥用职权`.
• 官僚主义 (guānliáo zhǔyì) - Bureaucratism. The system of rigid rules and attitudes in a bureaucracy that can sometimes foster an environment where abuse of power can occur.
• 职权 (zhíquán) - Power of office; authority. The second half of the main term, referring to the legitimate power one holds.