Japanese word

原則

Pronunciation

Romajigensoku

Meaning

  • nounprinciple

Example

大切な原則を守ります。tai setsu na gen soku o mamo ri ma su

I follow an important principle.

Illustration for 原則 (principle)

More examples

会社の原則を、社員全員で確認します。kai sha no gen soku o sha in zen in de kaku nin shi ma su

All employees review the company's principle together.

Core concept

Expresses a basic rule or guiding idea that shapes how people judge or act.

Common phrases

  • 原則としてgen soku to shi te

    as a general rule

  • 原則を守るgen soku o mamo ru

    follow a principle

  • 原則に従うgen soku ni shitaga u

    follow a principle

Similar words

原理genri: A basic idea or law that explains how something works.
理念rinen: A guiding idea that expresses what a person or group aims to uphold.
方針hōshin: A general guideline for making decisions and choosing actions.
規範kihan: A standard that guides behavior within a group or society.

Definition in Japanese

物事を行う際の基本となる決まりや考え方。mono goto o okona u sai no ki hon to na ru ki ma ri ya kanga e kata

Word origin

原則 (gensoku) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 原 (gen, "origin") and 則 (soku, "rule"), combining an underlying basis with a rule.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 原則 (gensoku) often appears in 原則として (gensoku to shite), meaning that something is generally true or followed even though exceptions may exist.

Other meanings

  • general rulenoun

Related words

  • 原則的gensokutekiprincipledna-adjective

Word lists with this word