主文(しゅぶん)

しゅぶん
noun
main clause (grammar); main text; operative part of a ruling
formalacademiclegalgrammaticallaw
1. main clause; main sentence (grammar)
In grammar, the principal clause of a complex sentence, which can stand alone as a sentence. Contrasts with 従属節(じゅうぞくせつ) (subordinate clause).
文(ぶん)の主文(しゅぶん)を探(さが)す。
To find the main clause of the sentence.
従属節(じゅうぞくせつ)は主文(しゅぶん)を修飾(しゅうしょく)する。
The subordinate clause modifies the main clause.
複文(ふくぶん)では、主文(しゅぶん)が文全体(ぶんぜんたい)の中心(ちゅうしん)となる。
In a complex sentence, the main clause is the core of the whole sentence.
2. operative part of a court ruling; main text
In legal usage, the portion of a court judgment stating the actual ruling (acquittal, sentence, damages awarded), as distinct from the reasoning that supports it.
判決(はんけつ)の主文(しゅぶん)が読(よ)み上(あ)げられた。
The operative part of the verdict was read aloud.
主文(しゅぶん)、被告人(ひこくにん)を懲役(ちょうえき)三年(さんねん)に処(しょ)する。
Ruling: the defendant is sentenced to three years' imprisonment.
裁判官(さいばんかん)は判決(はんけつ)理由(りゆう)を述(の)べた後(あと)、主文(しゅぶん)を言(い)い渡(わた)した。
After stating the reasons for the judgment, the judge handed down the operative ruling.

Compound of 主(しゅ) (main, principal) + 文(ぶん) (sentence, text). Two technical uses:

GRAMMAR USE (sense 1):
The main clause of a complex sentence — the part that can stand on its own. The subordinate clause (従属節(じゅうぞくせつ)) modifies or qualifies it.

LEGAL USE (sense 2):
In a Japanese court judgment, the 主文(しゅぶん) is the operative ruling (e.g. the sentence, the dismissal), distinct from the 理由(りゆう) (reasoning). The 主文(しゅぶん) is what is formally pronounced in court.

Related words

Related Words

Related: 複文(ふくぶん) (complex sentence)
Related: 判決(はんけつ) (court judgment)
general
Added 2026.5.31 12:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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