国会

• Reading: こっかい
• Romaji: kokkai
• Kanji breakdown: 国 (koku) — country, nation; 会 (kai) — meeting, assembly
• Pronunciation: /kok.kaɪ/

Meaning

National Diet; the legislative assembly of Japan. The parliament that makes laws.

A noun referring specifically to Japan's bicameral legislature, established under the 1947 constitution. It consists of the 衆議院 (House of Representatives) and 参議院 (House of Councillors). The word is also used more broadly to refer to any national parliament.

Examples

1. 国会で新しい法律について話し合われた。 A new law was debated in the National Diet.
2. 来月、国会議員の選挙が行われる。 Elections for Diet members will be held next month.
3. 国会の建物は東京の中心にある。 The Diet building is located in the center of Tokyo.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, news, law

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Composed of 国 (country, nation) and 会 (meeting, assembly). The combination means a national assembly or parliament.

Cultural Context

Era: Post-war (1947)

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal