Lesson L12N3N3 Kanji in Context⏱ 25 min

Law and Rules Kanji

This lesson introduces key N3 kanji associated with legal concepts, regulations, and rules. You will learn readings, meanings, and usage in realistic contexts such as laws, contracts, and obligations, with exercises designed to reinforce comprehension and retention.

🎯 Goal: Learn N3 kanji related to law and rules in context.

Lesson Content

Learning Goal

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to read and understand 10 N3 kanji related to law and rules, recognize them in common compounds, and use them in basic sentences.

Concept

Law and rules are central to Japanese society, appearing in news, contracts, and daily life. These kanji often appear in formal or written contexts. Understanding them will help you read signs, documents, and news articles more confidently.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. 法 (ほう, hō) – law, method

Meaning: law, method, principle
Common compounds:
- 法律 (ほうりつ, hōritsu) – law
- 方法 (ほうほう, hōhō) – method
- 文法 (ぶんぽう, bunpō) – grammar

Example:
法律を守るのは大切です。
Hōritsu o mamoru no wa taisetsu desu.
It is important to follow the law.

2. 則 (そく, soku) – rule, standard

Meaning: rule, standard, principle
Common compounds:
- 規則 (きそく, kisoku) – rule, regulation
- 原則 (げんそく, gensoku) – principle
- 法則 (ほうそく, hōsoku) – law (scientific/natural)

Example:
この規則を覚えてください。
Kono kisoku o oboete kudasai.
Please remember this rule.

3. 規 (き, ki) – standard, regulation

Meaning: standard, regulation, measure
Common compounds:
- 規定 (きてい, kitei) – provision, regulation
- 規律 (きりつ, kiritsu) – discipline, order
- 規模 (きぼ, kibo) – scale, scope

Example:
会社には厳しい規律がある。
Kaisha ni wa kibishii kiritsu ga aru.
The company has strict discipline.

4. 律 (りつ, ritsu) – law, rhythm

Meaning: law, rule, rhythm
Common compounds:
- 法律 (ほうりつ, hōritsu) – law
- 自律 (じりつ, jiritsu) – self-discipline, autonomy
- 旋律 (せんりつ, senritsu) – melody

Example:
自律した行動が求められる。
Jiritsu shita kōdō ga motomerareru.
Self-disciplined behavior is required.

5. 制 (せい, sei) – control, system

Meaning: control, system, limit
Common compounds:
- 制度 (せいど, seido) – system, institution
- 制限 (せいげん, seigen) – restriction, limit
- 規制 (きせい, kisei) – regulation, control

Example:
スピード制限を守ってください。
Supīdo seigen o mamotte kudasai.
Please obey the speed limit.

6. 度 (ど, do) – degree, time

Meaning: degree, extent, time (occurrence)
Common compounds:
- 制度 (せいど, seido) – system
- 速度 (そくど, sokudo) – speed
- 温度 (おんど, ondo) – temperature

Example:
この制度は新しいです。
Kono seido wa atarashii desu.
This system is new.

7. 権 (けん, ken) – right, authority

Meaning: right, authority, power
Common compounds:
- 権利 (けんり, kenri) – right (legal)
- 権力 (けんりょく, kenryoku) – power, authority
- 人権 (じんけん, jinken) – human rights

Example:
すべての人に権利がある。
Subete no hito ni kenri ga aru.
Every person has rights.

8. 利 (り, ri) – profit, advantage

Meaning: profit, benefit, advantage
Common compounds:
- 権利 (けんり, kenri) – right
- 利益 (りえき, rieki) – profit, benefit
- 便利 (べんり, benri) – convenient

Example:
この法律は国民の利益になる。
Kono hōritsu wa kokumin no rieki ni naru.
This law benefits the citizens.

9. 令 (れい, rei) – order, decree

Meaning: order, command, decree
Common compounds:
- 命令 (めいれい, meirei) – command, order
- 法令 (ほうれい, hōrei) – law, decree
- 条例 (じょうれい, jōrei) – ordinance, regulation

Example:
新しい法令が発表された。
Atarashii hōrei ga happyō sareta.
A new decree was announced.

10. 条 (じょう, jō) – article, clause

Meaning: article, clause, item
Common compounds:
- 条件 (じょうけん, jōken) – condition, term
- 条例 (じょうれい, jōrei) – ordinance
- 条約 (じょうやく, jōyaku) – treaty

Example:
この条件に同意しますか？
Kono jōken ni dōi shimasu ka?
Do you agree to these terms?

Mini Examples

Kanji	Word	Reading	Meaning
法	法律	ほうりつ	law
則	規則	きそく	rule
規	規定	きてい	regulation
律	自律	じりつ	self-discipline
制	制度	せいど	system
度	速度	そくど	speed
権	権利	けんり	right
利	利益	りえき	profit
令	命令	めいれい	order
条	条件	じょうけん	condition

Common Mistake

Mistake: Confusing 法 (hō) with 則 (soku) or 律 (ritsu) because all mean "law" or "rule."

Fix:

法 (hō) = law in a broad sense (法律 = law as a system)
則 (soku) = rule or standard (規則 = specific rule)
律 (ritsu) = law or rhythm (法律 = law, but also 自律 = self-discipline)

Tip: 法律 (ほうりつ) is the most common word for "law" in everyday Japanese.

Quick Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct kanji from this lesson:

新しい___律 (ほうりつ) ができました。
→ 法
この___則 (きそく) を守ってください。
→ 規
すべての人に___利 (けんり) がある。
→ 権
この___件 (じょうけん) に同意します。
→ 条
スピード___限 (せいげん) を守る。
→ 制

Summary and Next Step

You learned 10 N3 kanji related to law and rules:
法, 則, 規, 律, 制, 度, 権, 利, 令, 条

Next step: Practice reading these kanji in news headlines or official documents. Try to find 法律 (ほうりつ), 規則 (きそく), and 条件 (じょうけん) in real-world materials.