Translation and Meaning of: 法 - hou

The Japanese word 「法」 (hou) is rich in meaning and breadth of use. As for its etymology, 「法」 is an ideogram (kanji) that incorporates the radical 「氵」 related to water, indicating that the term suggests fluidity or continuous movement. This characteristic is reflected in the way laws and social norms permeate and influence daily life, adapting to variable circumstances. The other component of the kanji is 「去」, which means to go or depart, symbolizing a systematic approach that dissipates when applied, much like established laws intended to regulate behaviors and social practices.

In the Japanese language, 「法」 has a primary meaning of "law" or "principle." It is present in a wide range of compound words, such as 「法律」 (houritsu), which means "law" in the legal sense, and 「方法」 (houhou), which means "method" or "technique." Furthermore, this word is rooted in discussions about justice and morality, reflecting how laws and rules are essential for the harmonious functioning of society. It is not limited to the legal sphere but can also refer to doctrines and principles in philosophical and religious contexts, such as in Buddhism, where 「法」 is part of the word 「仏法」 (buppou), meaning "Buddhist law" or "teachings of Buddha."

The origin of the use of the kanji 「法」 dates back to the Chinese influence on the Japanese language, especially during the Nara and Heian periods, when many philosophical and legal concepts were imported from China. This brought to Japan not only the written language but also conceptual structures that would be adapted to the Japanese context. The kanji, in addition to conveying the idea of tangible norms and laws, also captures the imagination of universal and transcendental ethical principles, demonstrating its broad applicability both in practical and theoretical terms.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 規則 (Kisoku) - Rules or guidelines to be followed.
• 規律 (Kiritsu) - Discipline or order; refers to adherence to rules.
• 制度 (Seido) - Organized system or structure of laws or norms.
• 法律 (Hōritsu) - Laws in general, legal system.
• 法令 (Hōrei) - Decree or regulation issued by an authority.
• 法則 (Hōsoku) - Principles or fundamental laws, usually in scientific or logical contexts.
• 法規 (Hōki) - Set of laws and regulations.
• 法条 (Hōjō) - Article or specific clause in a legal document.
• 法律制度 (Hōritsu Seido) - Legal system; the framework through which laws are established and enforced.
• 法律規定 (Hōritsu kitei) - Specific regulations established by law.
• 法律上 (Hōritsu-jō) - In the legal context; from the legal standpoint.
• 法的 (Hōteki) - Related to the law; legal.
• 法的に (Hōteki ni) - Legally; in a legal manner.
• 法的手続き (Hōteki tetsuzuki) - Legal proceedings or procedures under the law.
• 法的責任 (Hōteki sekinin) - Legal responsibility; a legal obligation that a person or entity has.
• 法的地位 (Hōteki chii) - Legal status; the position of a person or entity in the legal context.
• 法的効力 (Hōteki kōryoku) - Legal force; effectiveness of a legal provision.
• 法的保護 (Hōteki hogo) - Legal protection; rights guaranteed by the law.
• 法的手段 (Hōteki shudaan) - Legal means; methods or ways of acting within the legal context.
• 法的根拠 (Hōteki konkyo) - Legal basis; legal grounds that support an argument or action.
• 法的措置 (Hōteki sochi) - Legal measures; actions taken within the legal scope.
• 法的拘束力 (Hōteki kousokuryoku) - Legal binding; mandatory force of a norm or judicial decision.
• 法的責務 (Hōteki seki mu) - Legal duty; obligations imposed by law.
• 法的責任追及 (Hōteki sekinin tsuiki) - Search for legal accountability; the process of seeking legal responsibility.
• 法的責任能力 (Hōteki sekinin nōryoku) - Legal liability capacity; suitability to be held legally accountable.
• 法的責任能力者 (Hōteki sekinin nōryoku-sha) - Individual with the capacity for legal responsibility.
• 法的責任制限 (Hōteki sekinin seigen) - Legal disclaimers; statutory liability limitations.
• 法的責任免除 (Hōteki sekinin menjo) - Legal disclaimer; conditions under which a person may be exempt from liability.

法

Romaji: hou
Kana: ほう
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: Ato (lei: o ato x)

Meaning in English: Act (law: the X Act)

Definition: Law: Rules and principles that maintain social order and regulate people's behavior.

Example Sentences - (法) hou

See below some example sentences:

彼は強引な方法で彼女を説得しようとした。

Kare wa gouin na houhou de kanojo o settoku shiyou to shita

He tried to persuade his girlfriend in a very insistent way.

He tried to convince her with brute force.

• 彼 - He
• は - Topic particle
• 強引 - Forced, coercive
• な - Suffix indicating adjective
• 方法 - Method, way
• で - Particle indicating medium, instrument
• 彼女 - Girlfriend, she
• を - Direct object particle
• 説得 - Convince, persuade
• しよう - Volitional form of the verb suru (to do)
• とした - Tentou

従来の方法では限界がある。

Jūrai no hōhō de wa genkai ga aru

There is a limit to the conventional method.

• 従来の - It means "traditional" or "conventional".
• 方法 - means "method" or "procedure".
• では - It is a particle that indicates the location or circumstance in which something happens.
• 限界 - It means "limit" or "boundary".
• が - é uma partícula que indica o sujeito da frase.
• ある - means "to exist" or "to have".

検事は法律を守るために働く。

Kenshi wa hōritsu o mamoru tame ni hataraku

Attorneys work to protect the law.

Prosecutors work to protect the law.

• 検事 - Promotor
• は - Topic particle
• 法律 - Lei
• を - Direct object particle
• 守る - Proteger
• ために - For
• 働く - Trabalhar

法律は人々を守るために存在します。

Hōritsu wa hitobito o mamoru tame ni sonzai shimasu

The law exists to protect people.

• 法律 - "she" in Japanese
• は - Topic particle
• 人々 - "pessoas" means "people" in Japanese.
• を - direct object particle
• 守る - It means "protect" in Japanese.
• ために - expression that indicates purpose
• 存在します - means "to exist" in Japanese

法律に違反すると罰せられる。

Hōritsu ni hihan suru to basserareru

You will be punished if you break the law.

• 法律 (hou ritsu) - lei
• に (ni) - partícula que indica ação ou destino
• 違反する (i han suru) - violate, infringe
• と (to) - particle indicating condition or consequence
• 罰せられる (batsu serareru) - ser punido

法学を学ぶことは社会に貢献するために重要です。

Hougaku wo manabu koto wa shakai ni kouken suru tame ni juuyou desu

The apprenticeship law is important to contribute to society.

• 法学 - study of law
• 学ぶ - learn
• こと - thing
• 社会 - society
• 貢献 - contribuição
• する - make
• ために - for
• 重要 - important
• です - is

私たちは法律に従う必要があります。

Watashitachi wa hōritsu ni shitagau hitsuyō ga arimasu

We need to follow the law.

• 私たちは - We
• 法律に - To the law
• 従う - seguir
• 必要があります - Is required

立法は国の発展に欠かせない。

Rippō wa kuni no hatten ni kakasenai

The legislation is indispensable for the development of the country.

• 立法 - means "legislation" in Japanese.
• は - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates the topic of the sentence, in this case, "legislation."
• 国 - "País" significa "国" (kuni) em japonês.
• の - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates possession or relationship, in this case, "of the country."
• 発展 - It means "development" in Japanese.
• に - it is a Japanese grammatical particle that indicates action or destination, in this case, "for development".
• 欠かせない - it is an adjective in Japanese that means "essential" or "indispensable".

簡易な方法で問題を解決することができます。

Kani na hōhō de mondai o kaiketsu suru koto ga dekimasu

You can solve the problem in a simple way.

• 簡易な - means "simple" in Japanese.
• 方法 - means "method" or "way" in Japanese.
• で - is a Japanese particle that indicates the means or way in which something is done.
• 問題 - means "problem" in Japanese.
• を - is a Japanese particle that indicates the direct object of the sentence.
• 解決する - means "to resolve" in Japanese.
• ことができます - is a Japanese expression meaning "to be able to do something".

観光は日本の文化を体験する素晴らしい方法です。

Kankou wa Nihon no bunka o taiken suru subarashii houhou desu

Tourism is a great way to experience Japanese culture.

• 観光 - turismo
• は - Topic particle
• 日本 - Japan
• の - Possessive particle
• 文化 - cultura
• を - direct object particle
• 体験する - experimentar
• 素晴らしい - maravilhoso
• 方法 - método
• です - be (linking verb)