Translation guide
The formal act of making a law, rule, or doctrine publicly known. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with 公布 (こうふ) for laws and ordinances, or 発布 (はっぷ) for official proclamations. For religious or doctrinal contexts, 宣布 (せんぷ) is used.
The formal process by which a new law, ordinance, or government regulation is officially published and made known to the public.
The standard legal term for the promulgation of laws, cabinet orders, and ordinances. Used in official contexts.
新しい法律が公布された。
The new law was promulgated.
憲法改正の公布は来月の予定だ。
The promulgation of the constitutional amendment is scheduled for next month.
Used for the official issuance or proclamation of laws, edicts, or regulations, often with a historical or authoritative nuance. Less common than 公布 in modern legal contexts.
明治政府は憲法を発布した。
The Meiji government promulgated the constitution.
Technically means 'enforcement' or 'putting into effect,' but often appears alongside promulgation. Note: 施行 refers to the law coming into force, not the act of making it public. Use with caution.
Do not use 施行 to mean 'promulgation.' It means 'enforcement' or 'coming into effect.'
法律は公布から1年後に施行される。
The law will come into effect one year after its promulgation.
The act of declaring or spreading a religious teaching, political ideology, or set of principles to a wide audience.
Used for the proclamation of religious doctrines, imperial rescripts, or important public declarations. Carries a formal, often solemn tone.
教皇は新しい教義を宣布した。
The Pope promulgated the new doctrine.
その布告は国民に宣布された。
The edict was promulgated to the people.
Can also be used for the proclamation of doctrines or edicts, especially in historical contexts. Overlaps with 宣布 but is more general.
Means 'official announcement' or 'publication.' Can be used for making something widely known, but lacks the formal, authoritative nuance of promulgation. More like 'making public.'
The act of spreading knowledge, ideas, or information broadly to the public, not necessarily in a legal or religious context.
Means 'spread,' 'dissemination,' or 'popularization.' Used for the widespread adoption of ideas, technologies, or practices. Not a direct translation of 'promulgation' but often used in similar contexts.
インターネットの普及により情報が早く広まる。
With the spread of the internet, information disseminates quickly.
Can be used metaphorically for the proclamation of ideas, but retains a formal, authoritative tone.
彼は自らの哲学を世界に宣布した。
He promulgated his philosophy to the world.
公布 (こうふ) is the standard legal term for promulgation of laws and regulations. 発布 (はっぷ) is used for official proclamations, often historical or authoritative. 宣布 (せんぷ) is for religious or doctrinal proclamations. In modern legal contexts, 公布 is the most common.
施行 means 'enforcement' or 'coming into effect,' not 'promulgation.' A law is first promulgated (公布), then later enforced (施行). Using 施行 to mean promulgation is a common mistake.
公布日と施行日は異なる。
The promulgation date and the enforcement date are different.
The emperor promulgated an imperial decree.
政府は新しい政策を公表した。
The government announced the new policy.