法則

• Reading: ほうそく
• Romaji: housoku
• Kanji breakdown: 法 (hou) — law, method; 則 (soku) — rule, standard
• Pronunciation: /hoː.so.kɯ/

Meaning

Law; rule; a principle that consistently governs how things work.

A noun for established principles in science, mathematics, and general reasoning. Used in compounds like 自然法則 (natural law) and 法則性 (regularity), as well as famous laws such as 万有引力の法則 (law of universal gravitation). More scientific and systematic than ルール or 規則.

Examples

1. ニュートンの運動の法則は物理学の基本だ。 Newton's laws of motion are the foundation of physics.
2. 自然界には多くの法則が存在する。 Many laws exist in the natural world.
3. 成功するための法則はないが努力は必要だ。 There's no law for success, but effort is necessary.

Usage Guide

Context: science, mathematics, philosophy, education

Tone: academic

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 法 (hou, law/method) + 則 (soku, rule/standard). Literally 'law and rule,' a near-synonym compound reinforcing the idea of an established governing principle.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated