Understanding 法律 (ほうりつ)
法律 means "law" or "legal rules" in Japanese. It refers to the system of rules established by a government or society to regulate behavior. This word is commonly used in formal contexts such as legal discussions, news, and official documents.
Usage and Nuance
When you use 法律, you are typically talking about written laws or statutes that have legal authority. It is often paired with verbs like 守る (to obey), 変える (to change), or 施行する (to enforce/implement).
Common Collocations
- 法律を守る: to obey the law; emphasizes compliance with legal rules.
- 新しい法律: new law; used when discussing recent legal changes.
- 法律が適用される: law applies; used to indicate the scope of legal rules.
Register and Politeness
法律 is a neutral to formal noun. It is appropriate in both spoken and written Japanese, especially in formal or academic contexts. In casual conversation, people might use simpler words like ルール (rule) when not referring to official laws.
Common Learner Mistake
Avoid confusing 法律 with 規則 (きそく), which means "rules" but often refers to internal rules within organizations or schools rather than official laws. 法律 always implies government-enforced laws.