Law & Government

Introduction

Understanding law and government vocabulary opens up a whole dimension of Japanese media and society. N3 introduces essential terms for legal concepts, political systems, and civic life — from 法律 (law) to 選挙 (election).

This vocabulary is crucial for reading news and understanding how Japanese society is structured.

Themes

All JLPT N3 Vocabulary in This Chapter (43)

1. 政府 せいふ Government; administration. The executive branch that manages state affairs.
2. 国会 こっかい National Diet; the legislative assembly of Japan. The parliament that makes laws.
3. 選挙 せんきょ Election; the process of choosing representatives by voting.
4. 投票 とうひょう Voting; ballot; poll. The act of casting a vote in an election or decision.
5. 政党 せいとう Political party; an organized group that seeks to influence government policy.
6. 大統領 だいとうりょう President of a country. The head of state in a presidential system.
7. 首相 しゅしょう Prime minister; premier; chancellor. The head of government in a parliamentary system.
8. 大臣 だいじん Cabinet minister; a senior government official heading a ministry.
9. 議員 ぎいん Member of an assembly; legislator; member of parliament or congress.
10. 市長 しちょう Mayor; the elected head of a city government.
11. 知事 ちじ Prefectural governor; the elected head of a prefecture.
12. 裁判 さいばん Trial; judgement; a legal proceeding in court to determine guilt or settle disputes.
13. 裁判所 さいばんしょ Court; courthouse. The physical or institutional place where trials are conducted.
14. 弁護士 べんごし Lawyer; attorney. A licensed professional who represents clients in legal matters.
15. 検察 けんさつ Prosecution; criminal investigation. The branch of law enforcement that investigates and prosecutes crimes.
16. 被告 ひこく Defendant; the accused. The person against whom a legal action is brought.
17. 原告 げんこく Plaintiff; accuser. The person who brings a case against another in court.
18. 証拠 しょうこ Evidence; proof. Material or testimony used to establish facts in a legal or general context.
19. 判決 はんけつ Judicial decision; verdict; sentence. The formal ruling issued by a court.
20. 罰 ばつ Punishment; penalty; retribution. A consequence imposed for wrongdoing.
21. 刑 けい Penalty; sentence; punishment. A legal punishment determined by a court.
22. 犯罪 はんざい Crime; offence. An act that violates the law and is subject to punishment.
23. 犯人 はんにん Criminal; culprit; offender. The person who committed a crime.
24. 逮捕 たいほ Arrest; apprehension. The act of taking a person into custody by legal authority.
25. 捜査 そうさ Criminal investigation; inquiry. The process of searching for evidence and suspects.
26. 事件 じけん Incident; case; affair. Refers to a notable event, especially one involving crime or trouble.
27. 被害 ひがい Damage; harm; injury. Refers to suffering or loss caused by a disaster, crime, or other harmful event.
28. 条約 じょうやく Treaty; pact; convention. A formal agreement between nations or parties.
29. 憲法 けんぽう Constitution. The supreme law of a country that defines its fundamental principles and governance.
30. 法案 ほうあん Bill; legislative proposal. A draft of a proposed law submitted for debate and approval.
31. 許可 きょか Permission; approval; authorization. Official consent or license to do something.
32. 禁止 きんし Prohibition; ban; forbidden. The act of officially forbidding something.
33. 規制 きせい Regulation; restriction; control. Official rules or measures that limit or manage activities.
34. 芝生 しばふ Lawn; grass; turf. An area of short, cultivated grass.
35. グラウンド グラウンド Ground; playing field; sports ground. An open area used for sports and exercise.
36. 計 けい Total; sum; plan. Used as a suffix meaning total or as part of compounds relating to measurement and planning.
37. 嫁 よめ Bride; wife; daughter-in-law. Refers to a newly married woman or the wife of a son.
38. 礼儀 れいぎ Manners; courtesy; etiquette. Proper social behaviour and politeness.
39. 近視 きんし Nearsightedness; myopia. A condition where distant objects appear blurry.
40. 選手 せんしゅ Player; athlete; competitor. A person selected to represent a team or group in sports.
41. 操作 そうさ Operation; handling; manipulation. The act of operating or controlling a machine, device, or system.
42. 電子 でんし Electron; electronic. Refers to the subatomic particle or to electronic technology.
43. 法 ほう Law; act; method. As a suffix, it forms the names of specific laws and acts.