合法|ごうほうgouhou[0]heiban (flat)
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Definitions
- na-adjective, no-adjectivelegal; lawful; legitimate
Conjugation
| Plain form | 合法（ごうほう） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 合法です（ごうほうです） |
| Negative (dewa nai) | 合法ではない（ごうほうではない） |
| polite (dewa arimasen) | 合法ではありません（ごうほうではありません） |
| Past (datta) | 合法だった（ごうほうだった） |
| Past negative (dewa nakatta) | 合法ではなかった（ごうほうではなかった） |
| Te form (de) | 合法で（ごうほうで） |
| Adverbial (ni) | 合法に（ごうほうに） |
| Conditional (nara) | 合法なら（ごうほうなら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym適法てきほうFormalFormal legal term for conforming to statutes and regulations; 「合法」 is the more common everyday word.
- Synonym合法的ごうほうてきNeutralMeans conforming to the law, much like 「合法な」; unlike 「合法」, it cannot stand as a noun in words such as 「合法化」.
- Related正当せいとうNeutralMeans just and in keeping with reason, as in 「正当防衛」; 「合法」 refers strictly to being lawful.
- Antonym違法いほうNeutralMeans breaking the law; the direct opposite of 「合法」.
- Antonym不法ふほうNeutralUnlawful and unjustified, as in 「不法侵入」; also stands opposite to 「合法」.
Use 「合法」 for what conforms to the law, as in 「合法な手段」「合法化」. 「適法」 is the formal legal term; 「合法的」 is close to 「合法な」; 「正当」 covers what is right or reasonable, not just legal. Antonyms: 「違法」, 「不法」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
- 法に適っていること。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also
