律

Reading

Kana: りつ

Romaji: ritsu

Definitions

noun

1

law (esp. ancient East Asian criminal code); regulation

2

vinaya (rules for the monastic community)

(Buddhist term)

3

Ritsu (school of Buddhism)

Note: abbreviation

See also: 律宗

4

lushi (style of Chinese poem)

Note: abbreviation

See also: 律詩

5

(musical) pitch

Note: also りち

6

six odd-numbered notes of the ancient chromatic scale

See also: 十二律 呂

7

Japanese seven-tone gagaku scale, similar to Dorian mode (corresponding to: re, mi, fa, so, la, ti, do)

Note: abbreviation

See also: 律旋

noun

n-suf

ctr

8

(in traditional Eastern music) step (corresponding to a Western semitone)

Kanji

律

Readings: リツ、 リチ、 レツ

Meanings: rhythm, law, regulation, gauge, control

Example Sentences

法律(ほうりつ)が改正(かいせい)された。

➥The law was changed.

法律(ほうりつ)には、従(したが)うべきだ。

➥We should obey the law.

飢(う)えの前(まえ)に法律(ほうりつ)はない。

➥Hunger knows no law.

それは法律(ほうりつ)違反(いはん)です。

➥That's against the law.

必要(ひつよう)の前(まえ)に法律(ほうりつ)はない。

➥Necessity knows no law.

法律(ほうりつ)を犯(おか)してはいけない。

➥You are not to break the law.