廃止

• Reading: はいし
• Romaji: haishi
• Kanji breakdown: 廃 (hai) — abandon, discard; 止 (shi) — stop, cease
• Pronunciation: /ha.i.ɕi/

Meaning

Abolition; repeal; discontinuation. The formal ending or removal of a law, system, custom, or service.

A Sino-Japanese noun typically used with する to form the suru verb 廃止する. Commonly encountered in legal, governmental, and institutional contexts when a policy, regulation, or public facility is terminated. Stronger and more official than simply 終わり or 廃業; it implies deliberate institutional decision-making. The antonym is 制定 (establishment) for laws, or 存続 (continuation) for services.

Examples

1. 市議会は老朽化を理由に市営バスの路線を廃止することを決議した。 The city council resolved to abolish the municipal bus routes on the grounds of deterioration.
2. 死刑制度の廃止を求める運動が国内外で高まっている。 Movements calling for the abolition of the death penalty are growing both domestically and internationally.
3. 法改正により、旧来の規制が廃止され、新しい基準が設けられた。 Following the legal revision, the old regulations were abolished and new standards were established.

Usage Guide

Context: law, politics, government, public services, corporate

Tone: official, neutral

Origin & History

Sino-Japanese compound: 廃 (hai) — abandon; 止 (shi) — stop, cease. Both characters reinforce the meaning of bringing something to a complete end. Widely used in legal and administrative language since the Meiji era.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji-Modern

Generation: Adult

Social background: Educated