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掟 (おきて) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Common word JLPT N1 Freq. Frequency Top 20,000 Meanings 1
noun
rule ; code ; law
Often refers to a set of rules or code of conduct within a specific group, community, or organization, rather than national law. Can carry a traditional or strict connotation.
きび
しい
。
The yakuza code is strict.
Written forms 掟おきて Usage 87%
Standard kanji spelling; the only written form.
おきて Usage 10%
オキテ Usage 3%
Kanji 掟 law, commandments, regulations Similar words 規き 則そく 規則 is a general term for rules or regulations, often used in formal or organizational contexts. 掟 implies a more traditional, group-specific, or unwritten code.
法ほう 律りつ 法律 refers to statutory law or legislation enacted by a government. 掟 is not used for modern legal statutes.
Etymology Derived from the verb 置く (おく, 'to put, place'), originally meaning something that has been laid down or established. The kanji 掟 is a 国字 (kokuji, a character created in Japan) combining 扌(hand) and 定 (determine), suggesting rules set by hand or authority.