憲 means “constitution, fundamental law”

けん · ken

Also: law

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

ケン

JLPT N1 · Taught in grade 6 · 16 strokes

The story

Under a roof (宀), an eye (罒) above the heart (心): picture a law that sees into every heart. 憲法 is a constitution; Japan's took effect on May 3, 1947, now 憲法記念日, a national holiday, and whether to amend it, 改憲, is a long-running debate.

Used in 憲法 (kenpou, constitution), 違憲 (iken, unconstitutional), and 改憲 (kaiken, constitutional revision)

More from Courts & Trials

• 弁 speech
• 契 contract
• 訟 lawsuit
• 免 exempt
• 廷 court
• 糾 denounce
• 赦 pardon
• 陪 accompany
• 劾 impeach
• 遵 obey
• 裁 judge
• 証 evidence

Learn 憲 and more kanji free on Fuji Learning · All kanji

Readings from KANJIDIC2, © EDRDG, CC BY-SA.