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道Nihongo Path
憲

憲·constitution, fundamental law

On-yomi
ケン
Kun-yomi
none

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
憲法けんぽうconstitution
違憲いけんunconstitutionality
立憲りっけんconstitutional (government)
憲章けんしょうcharter

Example sentences

  1. 憲法は国の最高法規です。

    けんぽうはくにのさいこうほうきです。

    The constitution is the supreme law of the land.

  2. その法律は違憲だと判断された。

    そのほうりつはいけんだとはんだんされた。

    That law was judged to be unconstitutional.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • Reading 憲法 as けんほう — it voices to けんぽう
  • Mixing 違憲 (いけん, unconstitutional) with 意見 (いけん, an opinion)

Memory aid

Picture it

A roof 宀 over an eye 罒 and a heart 心: the law that watches over the nation's heart from the very top of the house.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 憲 mean?