Constitutional government (xiàn zhèng) refers to a political system in which the authority of the government is derived from and limited by a constitution — a foundational legal document that defines citizens’ rights, governmental powers, and procedures for governance. The character 宪 (xiàn) means 'constitution' or 'fundamental law', while 政 (zhèng) means 'government' or 'politics'; together, they denote rule according to constitutional principles rather than arbitrary authority.

This term is commonly used in academic, legal, and political discourse in Chinese-speaking contexts, especially when discussing democratic institutions, rule of law, civil liberties, or historical reforms. It carries formal, often idealistic connotations — implying legitimacy, accountability, and protection of rights. While widely discussed in theory, its practical implementation varies across jurisdictions, and it is frequently contrasted with authoritarian or extra-legal governance models.