Japanese word

違法

Pronunciation

Romajiihō

Meaning

  • na-adjectiveillegal

Example

これは違法です。ko re wa i hō de su

This is illegal.

Illustration for 違法 (illegal)

More examples

その店は違法な商品を売っていません。so no mise wa i hō na shō hin o u tte i ma se n

That store does not sell illegal products.

Core concept

Describes an act or condition that falls outside what the law permits.

Common phrases

  • 違法な行為i hō na kō i

    illegal act

  • 違法になるi hō ni na ru

    become illegal

Similar words

不法fuhō: Describes conduct or a condition that violates the law, especially in formal contexts.
脱法dappō: Describes conduct that avoids a legal restriction while appearing to follow its wording.
不正fusei: Describes conduct that is dishonest, improper, or against accepted rules.

Definition in Japanese

法律に反して禁じられていること。また、そのさま。hō ritsu ni han shi te kin ji ra re te i ru ko to ma ta so no sa ma

Word origin

違 (i, "deviate") + 法 (hō, "law") combine in this Sino-Japanese word to express conduct that goes against the law.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, illegal refers to what the law forbids, while wrong can also describe behavior that is unfair or unkind.

Opposites

Related words

  • 違法性ihōseiillegalitynoun

Word lists with this word