適 法(てきほう)

てきほう

noun, na-adjective

lawful; legal; legitimate

formallaw

1. lawful; legal; legitimate; in accordance with the law

Conforming to or permitted by law. A formal, legal term used to describe actions, procedures, or states that comply with legal requirements.

適法(てきほう)な手続(てつづ)きを踏(ふ)む。

To follow lawful procedures.

この取引(とりひき)は適法(てきほう)であると認(みと)められた。

This transaction was deemed to be lawful.

裁判所(さいばんしょ)は逮捕(たいほ)の手続(てつづ)きが適法(てきほう)かどうかを審査(しんさ)した。

The court examined whether the arrest procedure was lawful.

A compound of 適(てき) (suitable, fitting) and 法(ほう) (law). A formal legal term indicating compliance with the law. Used primarily in legal, administrative, and business contexts.

Common collocations

適法(てきほう)な手続(てつづ)き: lawful procedures
適法(てきほう)な行為(こうい): lawful act
適法(てきほう)に処理(しょり)する: to handle lawfully
適法(てきほう)かどうか: whether something is lawful or not
適法(てきほう)性(せい): legality, lawfulness

Similar words

合法(ごうほう): legal, lawful — more commonly used in everyday language
違法(いほう): illegal, unlawful — the direct opposite
合法的(ごうほうてき): legitimate — na-adjective form, slightly more conversational than 適法(てきほう)

Related Words

Compare: 合法(ごうほう) (legal, lawful)

Antonym: 違法(いほう) (illegal, unlawful)

Compare: 合憲(ごうけん) (constitutional)

general

Added 2026.4.4 3:22 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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