制度

• Reading: せいど
• Romaji: seido
• Kanji breakdown: 制 (sei) — system, regulate, control; 度 (do/tabi) — degree, measure, system
• Pronunciation: /se.i.do/

Meaning

System; institution; programme. An established set of rules or methods for organising something.

A noun used for formal, codified systems. Common compounds include 教育制度 (education system), 保険制度 (insurance system), 年金制度 (pension system), and 制度を改革する (to reform a system). Distinct from システム, which is borrowed and more general.

Examples

1. 日本の教育制度について調べています。 I'm researching Japan's education system.
2. 新しい制度が四月から始まります。 A new system will begin in April.
3. この制度のおかげで助かる人が多い。 Many people are helped thanks to this system.

Usage Guide

Context: politics, education, business

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 制 (system, regulate, control) and 度 (degree, measure, system). Together they describe a regulated measure — an established framework for how things work.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal