Japanese word

法律

Pronunciation

Romajihōritsu

Meaning

  • nounlaw

Example

法律を守ります。hō ritsu o mamo ri ma su

I follow the law.

Illustration for 法律 (law)

More examples

新しい法律が来月から施行されます。atara shi i hō ritsu ga rai getsu ka ra shi kō sa re ma su

The new law will take effect next month.

Core concept

Describes a formal rule made by a governing authority to organize society and control conduct.

Common phrases

  • 法律を守るhō ritsu o mamo ru

    obey the law

  • 法律に違反するhō ritsu ni i han su ru

    violate the law

  • 法律を制定するhō ritsu o sei tei su ru

    enact a law

Similar words

法令hōrei: An official rule issued by a government or another public authority.
条例jōrei: A local law made by a city, town, or other local government.
規則kisoku: A stated requirement that guides conduct in a group or institution.
憲法kenpō: The highest law that establishes the structure of a state and its basic rights.

Definition in Japanese

国や社会の秩序を保つために公的に定められた決まり。kuni ya sha kai no chitsu jo o tamo tsu ta me ni kō teki ni sada me ra re ta ki ma ri

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese word 法律 (hōritsu) combines 法 (hō, "rule") with 律 (ritsu, "rule") to express a system of formal rules.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often use "the law" for a country's legal rules in general, but "a law" for one particular rule.

Related words

  • 法律家hōritsukalawyernoun
  • 法律的hōritsutekilegalna-adjective

Word lists with this word