How to say "decree" in Japanese

• 命令めいれいJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe general word for an order or command from someone in authority; it covers 'decree' whenever you simply mean an authoritative directive rather than a specific legal, imperial, or papal document.
  ケンは自分じぶんの犬いぬに、そこで待まつように命令めいれいした。↗

  Ken told his dog to wait there.
• 上意じょういCommon
  nounRefers to the will or wishes of a ruler — the shogun's will, the emperor's wishes — rather than a written decree; it is really 'the ruler's will', seldom the word for 'decree' as a document.
• 詔書しょうしょCommon
  nounThe word for an imperial edict: a formal written decree issued by the emperor. Choose it when 'decree' refers specifically to the emperor's edict rather than an order in general.
• 判決はんけつJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThis is really 'judgment' or 'sentence': a court's decision. It matches 'decree' only in the legal sense, as when a court issues a decree; not for decrees by rulers or the church.
  彼かれに不利ふりな判決はんけつがでた。↗

  The judgement went against him.
• 教書きょうしょCommon
  nounA papal bull: a formal decree issued by the Pope. Use it only when 'decree' refers to a papal or church document; it is far too specific for ordinary decrees.

Use 命令 for a decree as an authoritative order in general, 詔書 for an emperor's edict, 教書 for a papal bull, 判決 for a court's decree, and 上意 for a ruler's will.

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

• 命令めいれいorder
• 上意じょういwill (esp. of shogun)
• 詔書しょうしょimperial edict
• 判決はんけつjudicial decision
• 命めいorder
• 命令書めいれいしょdecree
• 詔勅しょうちょくimperial edict
• 教書きょうしょ(papal) bull