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憲法 (けんぽう, kenpou) Japanese meaning: constitution | Kotomora
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The Constitution of Japan came into effect in 1947.
Debate continues in the Diet over constitutional revision.
Usage patterns 憲法けんぽう を 制定せいてい する to enact a constitution
This country enacted a new constitution soon after independence.
憲法けんぽう を 改正かいせい する to amend the constitution
Amending the constitution requires a vote in the Diet.
憲法けんぽう に 違反いはん する to violate the constitution
The law was criticized for violating the constitution.
憲法けんぽう を 守まも る to uphold the constitution
Politicians have a duty to uphold the constitution.
憲法けんぽう に 基もと づく to be based on the constitution
This ruling was handed down based on the constitution.
Related words 法律 refers to an ordinary statute or law, while 憲法 is the supreme, foundational law that governs all other laws.
規則 means ordinary rules or regulations for a group, whereas 憲法 (in its secondary sense) implies more basic, governing principles.
憲法 specifically means a national constitution, while 憲章 is a broader term for any formal charter or founding document.
Don't confuse with 憲章 (a charter, e.g. 国連憲章) shares the kanji 憲 and a sense of fundamental principles with 憲法, but it is a declaration of principles rather than a binding legal constitution.
憲法 means 'a constitution' itself, whereas 憲政 refers to the system or practice of governing under that constitution.
Word family· 24 state constitution
constitutional · constitutionally
constitutional law (as a field of study)
new constitution; postwar constitution of Japan
Etymology Sino-Japanese compound: 憲 is associated with statutes or established principles, and 法 means law or method. The compound conventionally denotes a constitution or fundamental set of rules.
former constitution; Meiji Constitution
Show 5 more unwritten constitution; uncodified constitution
agreed constitution; pacted constitution
agreed constitution; pact-based constitution
pacifist constitution; peace constitution
constitutional scholar; expert in constitutional law
