法
method, law, rule, principle, model, system
Readings
On'yomi
- ホウ
- ハッ
- ホッ
- フラン
Kun'yomi
- のり
Nanori
- ほ
Meaning
法 centers on an established way of doing things: a method, rule, or law that serves as a model or system.
Most common words using 法
24 of 1,972- 方法ほうほうN4
method; way; manner; process; procedure; means; measure
- 法ほうN3
law; act; principle
- 魔法まほうN1
magic; witchcraft; sorcery; spell
- 法律ほうりつN4
law; legislation; act
- 法人ほうじんN1
corporation; corporate body; company; legal entity; legal person; juridical person
- 憲法けんぽうN3
constitution
- 手法しゅほうN1
technique; method
- 違法いほうN1
illegal; illicit; unlawful
- 司法しほうN1
administration of justice; judicature
- 法則ほうそくN2
law; rule
- 療法りょうほう
(method of) treatment; therapy; remedy; cure
- 法的ほうてきN1
legal
- 法案ほうあんN1
bill (law); measure
- 合法ごうほうN1
legal; lawful; legitimate
- 不法ふほうN1
unlawful; illegal
- 法廷ほうていN2
court (of law); courtroom
- 文法ぶんぽうN4
grammar
- 法令ほうれいN1
statute; law; act; ordinance; regulation
- 技法ぎほう
technique
- 法制ほうせい
legislation; laws
- 商法しょうほう
business practice; business method; commerce
- 法務ほうむN1
judicial affairs
- 立法りっぽうN1
(enactment of) legislation; lawmaking
- 寸法すんぽうN2
measurement; size; extent; dimension
Study
Etymology
法 combines 氵 (water) with 去 (to go away). The traditional explanation is that water always finds a level, and going away from what is crooked leads to a model of fairness and law.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 flows away 去 from uneven ground, always seeking a level path. This natural principle becomes a model for fair rules and methods.
Reading mnemonic
For ホウ, imagine a judge's gavel going 'hou!' as it strikes, declaring the law: hou -> ホウ, and the water-like fairness of the law is upheld.