法令(ほうれい)

ほうれい
noun
law, ordinance, statute
formallegal
1. law, ordinance, statute, legislation
A general term for laws, regulations, and government orders. Encompasses statutes (法律(ほうりつ)), cabinet orders (政令(せいれい)), ministerial ordinances (省令(しょうれい)), and local ordinances (条例(じょうれい)).
法令(ほうれい)を遵守(じゅんしゅ)する。
To comply with laws and regulations.
新(あたら)しい法令(ほうれい)が来月(らいげつ)から施行(しこう)される。
A new ordinance will go into effect starting next month.
関連(かんれん)法令(ほうれい)をすべて確認(かくにん)してから手続(てつづ)きを進(すす)めてください。
Please check all related laws and regulations before proceeding with the procedure.

Usage

A formal, umbrella term covering all types of legal rules issued by government authorities. More inclusive than 法律(ほうりつ) (law enacted by the Diet), which refers specifically to statutes. 法令(ほうれい) includes statutes, orders, and regulations at all levels of government.

Commonly seen in official documents, business compliance contexts, and news.

Common collocations

Related Words

Related: 法律(ほうりつ) (law, statute)
Related: 条例(じょうれい) (ordinance)
Compare: 条文(じょうぶん) (text of a law)
Compare: 禁令(きんれい) (prohibition)
general
Added 2026.2.24 17:59 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:31
13000/13299_hourei