不文律
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Meanings
1
unwritten law; common law
Legal term for law based on custom or precedent rather than written statutes. Contrasts with 成文律 (written law).
See also: 成文律
In England, unwritten law plays an important role.
2
unwritten rule; tacit understanding
Commonly used for social norms, customs, or implicit agreements that are not formally written down.
There is an unwritten rule at the workplace that you don't refuse overtime.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉には不文律があるthere is an unwritten rule in 〈場所〉
There's an unwritten rule at this company that you don't refuse overtime.
- 不文律を守るto abide by an unwritten rule
The senior members have long abided by the unwritten rule.
- 不文律を破るto break an unwritten rule
The new employee broke the unwritten rule and gave their opinion directly to the boss.
- 〈事〉が不文律となっているsomething has become an established unwritten rule
In this industry, not disclosing prices has become an unwritten rule.