成文法

• Reading: せいぶんほう
• Romaji: seibunhō
• Kanji breakdown: 成 (sei/na) — to form, complete; 文 (bun/fumi) — writing, text; 法 (hō) — law
• Pronunciation: /seː.bɯɴ.hoː/

Meaning

Statute law; written law; codified law. Law that has been formally enacted and recorded in writing, as opposed to common law or customary law.

Used in contrast to 不文法 (fubunhō, unwritten law) and 慣習法 (kanshūhō, customary law). 成文法 encompasses constitutions, statutes, and ordinances — any law reduced to written form through an official legislative process. An essential concept in jurisprudence and comparative law studies.

Examples

1. 日本の法体系は成文法を中心に構成されている。 Japan's legal system is primarily structured around statute law.
2. 成文法は条文として明記されるため、解釈の基準が明確だ。 Because statute law is explicitly stated in written provisions, the standards for interpretation are clear.
3. 英国の法制度は成文法と慣習法の両方に依拠している。 The British legal system relies on both statute law and customary law.

Usage Guide

Context: law, politics, academia, jurisprudence

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 成 (to form, complete), 文 (writing, text), and 法 (law). Literally means law that has been put into written form.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: Academic/Legal professionals

Social background: Universal