制
system, law, rule
Readings
On'yomi
- セイ
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
制 centers on imposing structure or control: a system, a law, or a rule that shapes behavior.
Most common words using 制
24 of 837- 制度せいどN3
system; institution; organization; organisation
- 制限せいげんN3
restriction; restraint; limitation; limit
- 制作せいさくN3
work (film, book)
- 制せいN2
system; organization; organisation; imperial command; laws; regulation; control; government; suppression; restraint; holding back; establishment
- 規制きせいN1
regulation; (traffic) policing; control; restriction
- 制御せいぎょN1
control (of a machine, device, etc.)
- 体制たいせいN2
order; system; structure; set-up; organization; organisation
- 強制きょうせいN1
compulsion; coercion; forcing (to do); enforcement
- 制服せいふくN1
uniform
- 抑制よくせいN1
control; restraint; suppression; constraint; curtailment; inhibition; check; curb
- 統制とうせいN1
regulation; control
- 制覇せいは
conquest; domination; supremacy; mastery
- 制定せいていN1
enactment; establishment; creation
- 制約せいやくN1
limitation; restriction; condition; constraints
- 先制せんせい
head start; initiative; preemption
- 制裁せいさいN1
sanctions; punishment
- 法制ほうせい
legislation; laws
- 制圧せいあつ
gaining total control (of people or counties); suppression; oppression; control; mastery; ascendancy; supremacy
- 制するせいするN1
to hold back (e.g. emotions); to rein in (e.g. a horse, unruly people); to bridle
- 管制かんせい
control (by the state); controlling; coordination
- 税制ぜいせい
tax system
- 専制せんせいN2
despotism; autocracy
- 制止せいしN1
control; check; restraint; inhibition
- 禁制きんせい
prohibition; ban; embargo
Study
Etymology
制 originally depicted cutting or trimming cloth with a knife, which extended to the idea of regulating or setting rules. The modern form retains the knife 刂 on the right, while the left side is a simplified representation of the original cloth-related component.
Meaning mnemonic
The right side 刂 is a knife, and the left side looks like a piece of cloth being cut. Imagine using a knife to cut cloth into a precise pattern, creating a system or rule for how things must be done.
Reading mnemonic
For セイ, picture a ruler saying 'say' (セイ) the law: the ruler's command 'say' cues セイ while the knife enforces the rule.