一律

いちりつ

even, uniform, equal

JLPT N1

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

"一律" means "uniformly," "equally," or "without exception." It is often used to describe situations where the same rule, treatment, or condition applies to everyone or everything without differentiation.

Common Contexts

You will frequently see 一律 in formal or official contexts such as company policies, tax rules, or regulations where a consistent standard is applied.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 一律に上げる (raise uniformly): used when something like salary or price is increased equally for all.
  • 一律に禁止する (ban uniformly): used when a rule applies to all cases without exception.
  • 一律10パーセント (a uniform 10 percent): often used in tax or fee contexts.

Nuance and Register

The word carries a formal tone and is common in written or official speech rather than casual conversation. It emphasizes equality or sameness in treatment.

Common Learner Mistake

Learners sometimes confuse 一律 with words meaning "all" or "every" like すべて or 全て. However, 一律 stresses uniformity and sameness in application, not just totality. Use 一律 when you want to highlight that the same rule or amount applies equally to all.

Example Sentences

このかいしゃでは、しゃいんのきゅうりょうがいちりつにあがった。

In this company, all employees' salaries were raised uniformly.

ぜいきんはいちりつにじゅっぱーせんとかせられる。

Taxes are imposed uniformly at 10 percent.

いちりつきんしではなく、じょうきょうにおうじてたいおうしてください。

It's not a uniform ban; please respond according to the situation.