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:

この方法は効果的です。

Kono hōhō wa kōkateki desu

This method is effective.

This method is effective.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 方法 - noun meaning "method" or "way"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 効果的 - adjective that means "effective" or "efficient"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite and polite form

この薬の用法をよく読んでから使用してください。

Kono kusuri no yōhō o yoku yonde kara shiyō shite kudasai

Por favor, leia cuidadosamente as instruções de uso deste medicamento antes de utilizá-lo.

Leia o uso deste medicamento com cuidado antes de usá -lo.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 薬 - noun meaning "remedy" or "medicine"
• の - partícula possessiva que indica que o substantivo anterior é o dono ou a origem de algo
• 用法 - substantivo que significa "modo de usar" ou "instruções de uso"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• よく - advérbio que significa "bem" ou "adequadamente"
• 読んで - forma verbal do verbo "ler" no imperativo
• から - partícula que indica a razão ou o motivo de algo
• 使用して - forma verbal do verbo "usar" no imperativo
• ください - verb meaning "please" or "do"

この寸法は正確です。

Kono sunpō wa seikaku desu

Esta medida é precisa.

Essa dimensão é precisa.

• この - this
• 寸法 - dimensão
• は - is
• 正確 - preciso
• です - is

「文法が正しい文章を書くことは重要です。」

Bunpou ga tadashii bunshou wo kaku koto wa juuyou desu

It is important to write the correct sentence.

• 「文法が正しい文章を書くことは重要です。」
• 「」 - Japanese quotation marks
• 文法 - Word that means "grammar"
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• 正しい - adjective meaning "correct"
• 文章 - Noun that means "phrase" or "text"
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 書く - Verb meaning "to write"
• こと - noun meaning "thing" or "fact"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 重要 - Adjective meaning "important"
• です - Verb that indicates the state or condition of the sentence

この法律は来月から施行されます。

Kono houritsu wa raigetsu kara shikou saremasu

This law will come into effect next month.

This law will be applied next month.

• この - this
• 法律 - lei
• は - Topic particle
• 来月 - Next month
• から - A partir de
• 施行 - implementação
• されます - will be held

この手法は非常に効果的です。

Kono shuhō wa hijō ni kōkateki desu

This technique is very effective.

This method is very effective.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 手法 - noun meaning "method" or "technique"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 非常に - adverb meaning "very" or "extremely"
• 効果的 - adjective that means "effective" or "efficient"
• です - verb "to be" in the polite form

この法廷は公正である。

Kono houtei wa kousei de aru

This court is fair.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 法廷 - noun meaning "court" or "courtroom"
• は - topic particle indicating that the subject of the sentence is "this court"
• 公正 - adjetivo que significa "justo" ou "imparcial"
• である - verb that indicates the polite and formal form of "to be" or "to stay"

この法案は国民の利益を守るために必要です。

Kono hōan wa kokumin no rieki o mamoru tame ni hitsuyō desu

This bill is necessary to protect the interests of the people.

• この法案 - This law
• は - is
• 国民の利益 - the interest of the people
• を - (object particle)
• 守る - proteger
• ために - for
• 必要 - necessary
• です - is (politeness)

判事は法律を正確に適用する責任がある。

Hanjoshi wa hōritsu o seikaku ni tekiyō suru sekinin ga aru

O juiz é responsável por aplicar a lei com precisão.

• 判事 - Juiz
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• 法律 - Lei
• を - Particle indicating the direct object of the sentence
• 正確に - Precisamente
• 適用する - Aplicar
• 責任 - Responsabilidade
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ある - Existir

動詞は日本語の文法で重要な役割を果たします。

Doushi wa nihongo no bunpou de juuyou na yakuwari wo hatashimasu

The verb plays an important role in Japanese grammar.

• 動詞 (doushi) - verb
• は (wa) - Topic particle
• 日本語 (nihongo) - Japanese language
• の (no) - Possession particle
• 文法 (bunpou) - gramática
• で (de) - Location particle
• 重要 (juuyou) - important
• な (na) - adjective particle
• 役割 (yakuwari) - role/function
• を (wo) - direct object particle
• 果たします (hatashimasu) - perform/fulfill