(ごうほう)

ごうほう
noun, adjective (na)
legal, lawful
1. legal, lawful, legitimate
Being in accordance with the law. Used as a na-adjective or noun.
それは合法(ごうほう)だ。
That is legal.
合法(ごうほう)手段(しゅだん)解決(かいけつ)しよう。
Let's resolve it through legal means.
この(くに)では合法(ごうほう)でも、あの(くに)では違法(いほう)になることがある。
Something that is legal in this country can be illegal in that country.

USAGE: Functions as both a na-adjective (合法(ごうほう)な) and a noun. Often used in compound forms.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 合法(ごうほう)(てき): legal, legitimate (adjectival)
  • 合法(ごうほう)手段(しゅだん): legal means
  • 合法(ごうほう)(): legalization
  • 合法(ごうほう)()する: to legalize

CONTRAST: The antonym is 違法(いほう) (illegal). A related word is 適法(てきほう) (lawful, in conformity with law), which is more formal and technical.