施行する

• Reading: しこうする
• Romaji: shikousuru
• Kanji breakdown: 施 (shi/se) — carry out, bestow; 行 (kou/gyou) — go, execute
• Pronunciation: /ɕi.koː.sɯ.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To enforce; to put into effect; to implement a law or regulation.

A する verb used primarily in legal and governmental contexts, meaning to put a law, regulation, or policy into effect. The reading しこう is standard in modern usage, though せこう is also accepted. Often seen in news and official documents with expressions like 法律が施行される (a law is enforced) and 施行日 (enforcement date).

Examples

1. 新しい法律が来月から施行される予定だ。 The new law is scheduled to take effect starting next month.
2. この条例は去年四月に施行された。 This ordinance was enacted last April.
3. 改正法が施行されると罰則が厳しくなる。 When the revised law takes effect, the penalties will become stricter.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, government, news

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 施 (shi, to carry out/bestow) + 行 (kou, to go/execute). Originally a Chinese legal term meaning to put official decrees into practice.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal