How to say "obedience" in Japanese

• 服従ふくじゅうCommon
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbThe common, general word: obedience as submission to a superior's authority or power — a boss, an organization, the state. It can shade into passive, unresisting acceptance.
  これ以上いじょうあなたに服従ふくじゅうするのはお断ことわりする。↗

  I refuse to obey you any longer.
• 孝順こうじゅん
  na-adjective, nounObedience in the sense of filial piety: deferent conduct toward one's parents. Being less common, it is seldom the word you want for actually talking about obeying one's parents.
• 遵行じゅんこう
  noun, suru verbObedience in the sense of observance: carrying out rules, orders, or laws as required. For obedience to a person it is seldom the word you want; it is really adherence to rules.
• 聞き分けききわけ
  no-adjectiveObedience of children: a child who listens to what adults say and does as told. At root it means reasonableness, so it suits talk about children rather than obedience to authority.
• 恭順きょうじゅん
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbObedience as deferential submission, tinged with allegiance toward a superior or ruler. A less common word, it is seldom what you want for ordinary obedience; it is really a term of submission or allegiance.

服従 is the common general word for obedience as submission to authority; 「聞き分け」 covers children's obedience, 孝順 filial piety toward parents, 遵行 observance of rules and orders, and 恭順 deferential submission or allegiance.

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

• 服従ふくじゅうobedience
• 孝順こうじゅんobedience
• 遵行じゅんこうobedience
• 聞き分けききわけreasonableness (esp. of children)
• 恭順きょうじゅんallegiance
• 服従心ふくじゅうしんsubmissiveness