合法(ごうほう)

ごうほう
noun, na-adjective
legal, lawful
legal
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)な手段(しゅだん)で解決(かいけつ)しよう。
Let's resolve it through legal means.
この国(くに)では合法(ごうほう)でも、あの国(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)的(てき): legal, legitimate (adjectival)
  • 合法(ごうほう)な手段(しゅだん): legal means
  • 合法(ごうほう)化(か): legalization
  • 合法(ごうほう)化(か)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.

Related Words

Antonym: 違法(いほう) (illegal, unlawful)
Compare: 合憲(ごうけん) (constitutional)
Compare: 適法(てきほう) (lawful)
general
Added 2026.3.5 14:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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