Meaning
The kanji 律 carries a rich cluster of meanings that all revolve around the idea of an organizing principle — something that orders, governs, or gives structure. Its primary meanings in modern Japanese are law, rule, regulation, rhythm, and discipline. Whether referring to a legal statute, a musical scale, or the inner self-control of a person, 律 always implies something that keeps things in proper order and prevents chaos.
Etymologically, 律 is composed of the radical 彳 (a step, representing movement along a path) on the left side, and the component 聿 (a writing brush held in hand) on the right. Together, the character was originally conceived as the idea of setting down rules in writing and following a prescribed path — literally, a written regulation one must walk along. This imagery of both a road and a written document beautifully captures the dual sense of 律 as both an external rule and an internal guiding principle.
律 is taught in Japanese elementary school at Grade 6 and has 9 strokes. At the N2 JLPT level, it appears frequently in compound nouns related to law, music, and personal conduct. Understanding 律 unlocks a wide range of important vocabulary that is essential for reading newspapers, legal texts, and discussions about music and self-improvement.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
律 has two on'yomi readings: リツ (RITSU) and リチ (RICHI). The reading リツ is by far the more common of the two and appears in the vast majority of everyday compound words. リチ is an older, less frequent reading that survives in a handful of set expressions, most notably in the word 律儀 (りちぎ).
リツ (RITSU) — used in legal, musical, and disciplinary contexts:
- 法律 (houritsu) — law, legislation
- 規律 (kiritsu) — discipline, order, rules
- 旋律 (senritsu) — melody, musical tune
- 自律 (jiritsu) — autonomy, self-discipline
- 一律 (ichiritsu) — uniform, across the board, without exception
リチ (RICHI) — a classical reading preserved in specific words:
- 律儀 (richigi) — honest, faithful, dutiful, upright (describing a person of steady, reliable character)
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
律 does not have standard kun'yomi readings in contemporary Japanese. In classical texts, the reading のり (nori) was occasionally used to mean "rule" or "law," but this usage is archaic and not encountered in modern written or spoken Japanese. For practical JLPT N2 study, learners need only focus on the on'yomi readings リツ and リチ.
Common Words & Compounds
The kanji 律 appears in a diverse range of important compound words. Below are key vocabulary items organized by theme.
Law and Regulation:
- 法律 (houritsu) — law, statute, legislation; the most common word for "law" in Japanese
- 律法 (rippou) — legal code, commandments (often used in religious or historical contexts)
- 律令 (ritsuryo) — the ancient Japanese legal and administrative codes (historical term)
- 戒律 (kairitsu) — religious precepts, commandments, monastic rules
Discipline and Order:
- 規律 (kiritsu) — discipline, order, a set of rules governing conduct
- 自律 (jiritsu) — self-discipline, autonomy, self-governance
- 律儀 (richigi) — honest, faithful, upright; describes someone who always keeps their word
- 一律 (ichiritsu) — uniform, equal, applied without exception across the board
Music and Rhythm:
- 旋律 (senritsu) — melody, a musical tune or theme
- 音律 (onritsu) — musical scale, tuning, the tonal system of a musical piece
- 韻律 (inritsu) — prosody, rhythm in poetry; the metrical pattern of verse
- 律動 (ritsudou) — rhythmic movement, pulsation, periodic motion
Example Sentences
この国の法律はとても厳しい。
Kono kuni no houritsu wa totemo kibishii.
The laws of this country are very strict.
規律を守ることが大切だ。
Kiritsu wo mamoru koto ga taisetsu da.
It is important to follow the rules and maintain discipline.
あの曲の旋律はとても美しい。
Ano kyoku no senritsu wa totemo utsukushii.
The melody of that song is very beautiful.
彼は自律した人間だと思う。
Kare wa jiritsu shita ningen da to omou.
I think he is a self-disciplined person.
全員に一律で同じルールが適用される。
Zen'in ni ichiritsu de onaji ruuru ga tekiyou sareru.
The same rules are applied uniformly to everyone.
そのお寺の僧たちは厳しい戒律に従っている。
Sono otera no sou-tachi wa kibishii kairitsu ni shitagatte iru.
The monks at that temple follow strict religious precepts.
田中さんは律儀な人で、約束を必ず守る。
Tanaka-san wa richigi na hito de, yakusoku wo kanarazu mamoru.
Tanaka-san is a faithful, upright person who always keeps their promises.
法律を勉強するために大学に入った。
Houritsu wo benkyou suru tame ni daigaku ni haitta.
I entered university in order to study law.
この詩の韻律は非常に整っている。
Kono shi no inritsu wa hijou ni totonotteiru.
The prosody of this poem is very well-ordered and refined.
自律神経のバランスを保つことが健康に大切だ。
Jiritsu shinkei no baransu wo tamotsu koto ga kenkou ni taisetsu da.
Maintaining the balance of the autonomic nervous system is important for health.
Memory Tip
Picture a traveler walking along a road (彳 — the left radical, meaning "to step forward") while carefully carrying a writing brush (聿 — the right component). The traveler is a lawmaker who walks every road in the land, writing down rules and regulations with their brush as they go. Wherever they step, order follows. This image captures both meanings of 律: the external laws written down and the disciplined path one must walk. Remember: a person of 律 always walks the straight and narrow, brush in hand, following and writing the rules at the same time. Connecting it to the Vietnamese Hán-Việt reading LUẬT (as in luật lệ — rules and regulations) makes this kanji instantly memorable for Vietnamese learners.