律 means “law, regulation”

りつ · ritsu

Also: rhythm, gauge

On'yomi (Chinese reading)

リツ, リチ, レツ

JLPT N2 · Taught in grade 6 · 9 strokes

The story

A hand holding a brush (聿) beside the sign for walking (彳): rules written down for how to conduct yourself. 法律 is the law and 規律 discipline, and in music 律 is pitch, as in 旋律, a melody.

Used in 法律 (houritsu, law), 規律 (kiritsu, discipline/order), and 旋律 (senritsu, melody)

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