Meet 律 in words about rules, music and self-control. Learn each reading with its whole word.

The idea

律 has 9 strokes. Follow the linked diagram. 法律 is ほうりつ, 規律 is きりつ, and 旋律 is せんりつ; 律 is read りつ in these compounds.

Patterns to compare
WordReadingExample in context
法律ほうりつI study law at university.
規律きりつThe team values discipline.
旋律せんりつThat song has a beautiful melody.

Examples

  • 大学だいがくで法律ほうりつを勉強べんきょうしています。I study law at university.
  • 私わたしたちは法律ほうりつを守まもらなければなりません。We must obey the law.
  • そのチームは規律きりつを大切たいせつにしています。The team values discipline.
  • その歌うたには美うつくしい旋律せんりつがあります。That song has a beautiful melody.
  • 規則正きそくただしい生活せいかつは健康けんこうにいいです。A regular life is good for your health.
  • 彼女かのじょは自律じりつして仕事しごとをしています。She works with self-discipline.

Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.

Watch out

法律 means law, but 律 also appears in words about discipline and melody. Do not assume every word containing it refers to legislation.

Try it yourself

  1. Write the reading of 法律 in hiragana.

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    ほうりつ

    法律 is ほうりつ: it means law, as in studying law at university.

  2. Write the reading of 旋律 in hiragana.

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    せんりつ

    旋律 is せんりつ: it means melody, as in a beautiful melody.

  3. Choose the missing kanji: 規＿（きりつ）［律／筆］.

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    律

    律 completes 規律（きりつ）, meaning discipline; the team values discipline.

Use it today

Write 律 using the diagram, then cover the readings and read 法律 and 旋律 aloud. Make a sentence with one.