可決

• Reading: かけつ
• Romaji: kaketsu
• Kanji breakdown: 可 (ka) — acceptable, permissible, possible; 決 (ketsu) — decide, determine
• Pronunciation: /ka.ke.tsɯ/

Meaning

Approval; adoption; passage. The formal approval of a motion, bill, or resolution through a vote.

A noun and suru-verb used in parliamentary and organizational contexts to indicate that a proposal or bill has been officially approved through voting. The opposite is 否決 (hiketsu, rejection/voting down). Commonly paired with verbs like する (to approve) and される (to be approved). Frequently appears in news about legislation: 法案が可決された (houan ga kaketsu sareta, the bill was passed).

Examples

1. 新しい法案が国会で可決された。 A new bill was passed in the National Diet.
2. 賛成多数で予算案が可決された。 The budget proposal was passed by a majority vote.
3. その提案は全会一致で可決された。 The proposal was passed unanimously.

Usage Guide

Context: parliament, legislation, meetings

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese: 可 (ka, acceptable/permissible) + 決 (ketsu, decide/determine). Literally 'decided as acceptable' — meaning something has been approved through formal decision-making.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal