How to say "compulsory" in Japanese

• 義務的ぎむてきCommon
  na-adjectiveThe natural choice for the core sense of 'compulsory': something made obligatory by a rule or duty. It presents the action as an obligation one must fulfill, with no nuance of coercion.
• 強制的きょうせいてきCommon
  na-adjectiveCovers 'compulsory' in its 'forced' sense: the person is made to do something by outside pressure, against or regardless of their will. For something merely required by a rule, it overstates the case.
  彼女かのじょは強制的きょうせいてきに私を一緒いっしょに連れ出つれだした。↗

  She forced me to go out with her.
• 必須ひっすCommon
  no-adjective, na-adjectiveCovers 'compulsory' only in its 'required' sense: something indispensable or essential, a prerequisite that must be had or done. For obligations imposed by rule or force, this is not the word you want.
  堪能たんのうな英語力えいごりょくは必須ひっすです。↗

  Fluency in English is a must.

Choose 義務的 for something made obligatory by rule or duty, 強制的 when 'compulsory' really means forced or coerced, and 必須 when it means required or indispensable, as a prerequisite.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 義務的ぎむてきcompulsory
• 強制的きょうせいてきforced
• 必須ひっすindispensable
• コンパルソリーcompulsory
• 否応なしいやおうなしcompulsory
• 規定種目きていしゅもくcompulsory event
• 無理むりforcible
• 規定きていcompulsory exercise (in gymnastics)