憲法

• Reading: けんぽう
• Romaji: kenpou
• Kanji breakdown: 憲 (ken) — constitution, statute; 法 (pou/hou) — law, method
• Pronunciation: /keɴ.poː/

Meaning

Constitution. The supreme law of a country that defines its fundamental principles and governance.

A noun most strongly associated with 日本国憲法 (the Constitution of Japan), enacted in 1947. It appears frequently in political and legal discussions, particularly regarding 憲法改正 (constitutional amendment) and 憲法9条 (Article 9, the pacifist clause). Understanding this word is essential for reading Japanese news about politics.

Examples

1. 日本の憲法は1947年に施行された。 Japan's constitution went into effect in 1947.
2. 憲法を改正するかどうか、国会で議論されている。 Whether to amend the constitution is being debated in the Diet.
3. 憲法は国民の基本的な権利を守っている。 The constitution protects the fundamental rights of the people.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, law, education

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 憲 (constitution, law) and 法 (law, method). Together they mean the foundational law or constitutional law of a state.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal