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Kotomora

法

method, law, rule, principle, model, system

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · grade 4FrequencyTop 100Strokes8

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

Explore all words using 法 →

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.