執行(しっこう)

執行(しっこう) means the carrying out or enforcement of a plan, decision, sentence, or duty — a formal, often legal or administrative term.

Usage

• Functions as a する verb and as a noun.
• Most common in legal, governmental, and corporate contexts.
• Note the homophone 失効(しっこう) (expiration, lapse of validity), written with completely different kanji.

Common patterns

• 死刑(しけい)を執行(しっこう)する: to carry out a death sentence
• 予算(よさん)を執行(しっこう)する: to execute a budget
• 職務(しょくむ)を執行(しっこう)する: to perform one's official duties
• 執行猶予(しっこうゆうよ): suspended sentence (an extremely common legal term, similar to probation)
• 強制(きょうせい)執行(しっこう): compulsory execution, forced enforcement (e.g., foreclosure, eviction)
• 執行部(しっこうぶ): executive committee, leadership board
• 執行役員(しっこうやくいん): executive officer (a corporate title)

Similar words

• 実行(じっこう): putting into practice, carrying out (broader and less formal; can be used for everyday plans).
• 施行(しこう): enforcement of a law (specifically the moment a law takes effect).