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違反する

A2 verb 10 min read

違反する

ibun suru

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 違反する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 違反する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of 'ihan suru' as a special word for 'breaking a rule'. In simple Japanese, it's like saying 'dame' (no/bad) to an action because of a rule. You might see it on signs in parks or schools. For example, 'Don't break the rules' is 'Kisoku ni ihan shinaide'. At this stage, just remember that 'ihan' is about rules and laws, and it usually goes with the particle 'ni'. If you see a sign with '違反' (ihan), it means you are doing something you shouldn't be doing according to the law. It is a very important word for safety, like when you are walking or driving. Even if you don't use the verb yourself yet, knowing the noun 'ihan' will help you understand warnings in Japan. Think of it as the 'Rule-Breaker' word. Most A1 learners will encounter this word in the context of traffic, like 'speed violation'. Just remember: Rule + ni + ihan suru.

At the A2 level, you should start using 'ihan suru' to talk about official rules in your daily life. This includes school rules (kōsoku), traffic rules (kōtsū-kisoku), and game rules (rūru). You are moving beyond simple 'good' and 'bad' and starting to describe actions in relation to social standards. You should practice the pattern '[Rule] ni ihan suru'. For example, if you park your bike where you shouldn't, you are 'ihan shite iru'. You will also see this word in basic news stories or announcements. It's a 'suru-verb', so you can conjugate it easily: 'ihan shimasu' (polite), 'ihan shita' (past). A2 learners should distinguish 'ihan suru' from 'yaburu'. While you 'yaburu' (break) a promise to a friend, you 'ihan suru' (violate) a law. This distinction shows that you understand the formal nature of Japanese society. You might also hear it in sports, like when someone makes a foul. It's a key word for being a responsible member of society in Japan.

At the B1 level, you will use 'ihan suru' in professional and administrative contexts. You should be comfortable discussing 'keiyaku-ihan' (breach of contract) or 'kiyaku-ihan' (violation of terms). At this level, you understand that 'ihan' is not just about 'bad' behavior, but about legal and formal non-compliance. You will notice it appearing in workplace manuals and service agreements. You should also be able to use the passive form, 'ihan to minasareru' (to be considered a violation). B1 learners should also recognize common compound nouns like 'chūsha-ihan' (parking violation) and 'speed-ihan' (speeding). You might use it to explain why a certain action is not allowed in a business meeting: 'Sore wa sha-nai kitei ni ihan shimasu' (That violates internal company regulations). Your understanding of the particle 'ni' should be solid by now, and you should be able to explain the consequences of a violation using conditional grammar like '~to' or '~ba'. This word is essential for navigating adult life in Japan.

At the B2 level, 'ihan suru' becomes a tool for discussing complex social issues, legal debates, and ethical dilemmas. you will encounter it in news editorials and academic texts. You should understand the nuances between 'ihan suru' and related terms like 'teishoku suru' (to conflict with) or 'itsudatsu suru' (to deviate from). For a B2 learner, 'ihan suru' is often used to discuss constitutional issues ('kenpō-ihan') or international law. You should be able to follow a debate about whether a new policy 'ihan shite iru ka inaka' (whether it violates [the law] or not). You will also see it in the context of 'compliance' (konpuraiansu), a major buzzword in Japanese corporate culture. You should be able to write an essay discussing the social impact of 'ihan-kōi' (acts of violation) and how they affect public trust. At this level, your usage should be precise, reflecting the specific legal or regulatory framework you are discussing. You will also understand the gravity of 'ihan' in the context of Japanese 'shaken-tei' (public reputation).

At the C1 level, you use 'ihan suru' with high precision in specialized fields such as law, politics, or high-level business. You are capable of distinguishing between 'formal violation' and 'substantive violation'. You will analyze legal precedents where the definition of 'ihan' was contested. Your vocabulary will include related terms like 'shingai' (infringement), 'fukaku-teishoku' (non-conformity), and 'kenpō-teishoku' (unconstitutionality). You can discuss the 'ihan' of abstract concepts like 'human rights' (jinren-shingai/ihan) or 'ethical standards'. At this level, you might use the word in a legal brief or a high-stakes negotiation. You understand the historical evolution of certain laws and how the interpretation of 'ihan' has changed over time. You are also sensitive to the rhetorical use of 'ihan' in political discourse to delegitimize an opponent's actions. Your mastery of the word includes its use in complex sentence structures involving formal nominalizers and advanced particles.

At the C2 level, 'ihan suru' is a fundamental concept in your mastery of Japanese legal and philosophical discourse. You can engage in deep discussions about the 'spirit of the law' versus the 'letter of the law' regarding what constitutes a violation. You understand the subtle implications of 'ihan' in international diplomacy and treaty compliance. You can read and critique supreme court rulings where 'kenpō-ihan' (unconstitutionality) is the central theme. Your command of the language allows you to use 'ihan' in a way that reflects an intuitive understanding of Japanese jurisprudence and social philosophy. You can discuss the concept of 'civil disobedience' in Japanese—where one intentionally 'ihan suru' to protest an unjust law—and the linguistic nuances of how such acts are described in the media versus by activists. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a key to understanding the structural boundaries of Japanese civilization and its legal framework.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

違反する in 30 Seconds

Ihan suru is a formal verb meaning 'to violate' or 'to break' official rules, laws, or regulations.
It is strictly used with the particle 'ni' (e.g., 法律に違反する) and is common in legal and professional contexts.
The word is composed of kanji meaning 'to differ' and 'to oppose', emphasizing a deviation from established standards.
It should be distinguished from 'yaburu', which is used for casual promises, and 'machigau', which implies an accidental mistake.

The Japanese verb 違反する (ihan suru) is a formal and precise term used to describe the act of breaking, violating, or failing to comply with a set of established rules, laws, regulations, or agreements. At its core, the word is composed of two kanji: 違 (i), which means to differ, deviate, or go astray, and 反 (han), which means to oppose or go against. Together, they create a powerful image of stepping outside the boundaries of what is permitted and actively opposing the standard. This word is not typically used for minor social faux pas or breaking a casual promise to a friend; instead, it carries a weight of officiality. You will encounter it most frequently in legal contexts, traffic regulations, sports officiating, and formal contracts. Understanding the nuance of ihan suru requires recognizing that it implies a deviation from a 'codified' standard. Whether it is a speed limit, a corporate policy, or an international treaty, there is always a written or clearly defined 'rule' that serves as the benchmark for the violation.

Grammatical Particle: The most common particle used with 違反する is に (ni). Unlike the English 'violate the law' (direct object), Japanese treats the rule as the target or direction of the violation: 法律に違反する (hōritsu ni ihan suru).

スピード制限に違反すると、罰金が科せられます。(Supīdo seigen ni ihan suru to, bakkin ga kaseraremasu.)

Translation: If you violate the speed limit, a fine will be imposed.

In daily life, Japanese people use this word when discussing official matters. For example, if someone parks their car in a no-parking zone, it is a chūsha-ihan (parking violation). In the context of the Olympic games, if an athlete uses a prohibited substance, they have dōpingu-kitei ni ihan shita (violated doping regulations). The term is also essential in the business world, particularly regarding compliance (konpuraiansu). Companies strive to avoid rōdō-kijun-hō ihan (violations of the Labor Standards Act). Because Japan is a society that places a high value on social order and 'keeping the rules' (rules-mamoru), being accused of ihan is a serious matter that implies a breach of social trust. It suggests that the individual or entity has failed their responsibility to the collective by ignoring the shared boundaries that ensure safety and fairness.

Common Collocations: Rules (kisoku), Laws (hōritsu), Contracts (keiyaku), and Prohibitions (kinshi-jikō) are the most frequent nouns that precede 'ni ihan suru'.

その行為は契約に違反する可能性があります。(Sono kōi wa keiyaku ni ihan suru kanōsei ga arimasu.)

Translation: There is a possibility that that action violates the contract.

Using 違反する (ihan suru) correctly requires a firm grasp of its formal tone and its grammatical requirements. As a suru-verb, it is versatile, but its usage is almost exclusively bound to the particle に (ni) to indicate the rule being broken. You can think of ni as meaning 'against' in this specific context. For example, kōtsū-kisoku ni ihan suru means to act 'against' traffic rules. In sentence construction, the subject is the person or entity committing the violation, and the object (the rule) is marked by ni. If you want to use the noun form, ihan, it often combines with other nouns to form compound words like speed-ihan (speeding) or kenpō-ihan (unconstitutionality/violation of the constitution).

Verb Conjugation: Standard suru-verb patterns apply:
- Polite: 違反します (ihan shimasu)
- Past: 違反した (ihan shita)
- Negative: 違反しない (ihan shinai)
- Te-form: 違反して (ihan shite)

校則に違反した生徒は、放課後に掃除をしなければなりません。(Kōsoku ni ihan shita seito wa, hōkago ni sōji wo shinakereba narimasen.)

Translation: Students who violated school rules must clean up after school.

When discussing legal consequences, ihan suru is frequently followed by conditional structures like ~to or ~ba to describe what happens if a rule is broken. For instance, 'If you violate the law, you will be arrested' becomes hōritsu ni ihan suru to, taiho saremasu. It is also common to see it in the passive voice or as a modifier for a noun, such as ihan-kōi (an act of violation). In business emails, you might see phrases like kitei ni ihan shinai yō ni go-chūi kudasai (Please be careful not to violate the regulations). This formal phrasing ensures clarity and maintains a professional distance. Furthermore, in sports, referees might say ruuru ihan to signal a foul. The noun form ihan is often used as a standalone exclamation in very specific contexts, like a traffic officer pointing out a mistake, though usually, they would say ihan desu.

Structure Tip: [Rule/Law] + に + 違反する. Never use 'wo' with this verb when you mean 'to violate'.

著作権法に違反するコンテンツは削除されます。(Chosakukenhō ni ihan suru kontentsu wa sakujo saremasu.)

Translation: Content that violates copyright law will be deleted.

You will encounter 違反する (ihan suru) in several key areas of Japanese life. The most common place is undoubtedly in the news and media. News anchors frequently report on dōro kōtsū-hō ihan (Road Traffic Act violations) or shōken torihiki-hō ihan (Securities and Exchange Act violations). If a politician is caught in a scandal involving illegal donations, the phrase seiji shikin kigeshō-hō ni ihan suru (violating the Political Funds Control Act) will be repeated across every headline. Beyond the news, if you drive in Japan, you will likely hear or see this word on signs or in interactions with the police. Signs might warn chūsha-ihan kinshi (Parking violations prohibited) or supīdo-ihan torishimari-chū (Speeding violation enforcement in progress). Hearing a police officer say kore wa ihan desu yo (this is a violation) is a stressful experience for any driver.

Sports Commentary: In Japanese sports broadcasts, 'ihan' is used for technical fouls or rule breaches. In sumo, it might refer to an illegal move, while in soccer, it refers to a foul against the rules of the game.

審判は、そのプレーがルールに違反していると判断しました。(Shinpan wa, sono purē ga rūru ni ihan shite iru to handan shimashita.)

Translation: The referee judged that the play was in violation of the rules.

In the workplace, ihan suru appears in employee handbooks and compliance training videos. HR might explain the shūgyō-kisoku (work rules) and emphasize that kore ni ihan suru to chōkai-shobun no taisshō ni narimasu (violating these makes you subject to disciplinary action). Additionally, in the digital world, you will see it on Terms of Service (ToS) pages. When you click 'Agree', you are agreeing not to riyō-kiyaku ni ihan suru (violate the terms of use). If your account is banned, the notification will often state that kiyaku-ihan ga kakunin sareta tame (because a violation of terms was confirmed), your access has been revoked. Lastly, in academic settings, professors use it when discussing plagiarism: rinri-kitei ni ihan suru kōi (an act that violates ethical regulations). It is a word that signifies the boundary between acceptable behavior and formal transgression across all facets of structured society.

Contextual Usage: In legal dramas (bengoshi-mono), this word is used every few minutes to debate the legality of a character's actions.

検察側は、被告が公職選挙法に違反したと主張しています。(Kensatsugawa wa, hikoku ga kōshoku senkyohō ni ihan shita to shuchō shite imasu.)

Translation: The prosecution claims the defendant violated the Public Offices Election Act.

One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make when using 違反する (ihan suru) is choosing the wrong particle. In English, we say "violate the law," where "the law" is a direct object. This leads many learners to say hōritsu wo ihan suru. However, in Japanese, the rule is treated as the standard you are acting against, requiring the particle に (ni). Using wo will sound unnatural to native speakers. Another common error is using ihan suru for personal or informal situations. If you break a promise to meet a friend at 5:00 PM, you should not say yakusoku ni ihan shita. That sounds like you broke a formal legal contract. For personal promises, use yakusoku wo yaburu or yakusoku wo mamoranai. Ihan suru is reserved for rules that have a level of institutional authority.

Mistake: Confusing with 'Machigau': Learners often use 'machigau' (to make a mistake) when they mean 'ihan'. 'Machigau' is an accidental error (like 1+1=3). 'Ihan' is a failure to comply with a rule, regardless of whether it was intentional or accidental.

× 交通規則を違反した。
○ 交通規則に違反した。

Note: Always use 'ni' with 'ihan suru'.

Furthermore, don't confuse ihan suru with han-suru (反する). While they look similar and both use the character 反, han-suru means "to be contrary to" or "to go against" in a broader, often more abstract sense, such as kitai ni han-suru (to go against expectations). While ihan suru is specific to rules and laws, han-suru can apply to feelings, theories, or expectations. Lastly, be careful with the word yaburu. While yaburu can mean to break a rule, it is much less formal. In a courtroom or a business contract, yaburu would sound too colloquial and potentially disrespectful of the legal weight of the situation. Always opt for ihan suru in professional or official writing to ensure your tone matches the seriousness of the topic.

Summary of Nuance: Ihan = Official/Legal violation. Yaburu = Casual breaking. Han-suru = Abstract contradiction.

× 友達との約束に違反した。
○ 友達との約束を破った。

Explanation: 'Ihan' is too formal for personal promises.

When you want to express the idea of breaking or going against something, Japanese offers several alternatives to 違反する (ihan suru), each with its own specific register and context. Understanding these differences will help you sound more like a native speaker and ensure you are using the right level of formality. The most common alternative is yaburu (破る). While ihan suru is formal, yaburu is versatile and used for records (breaking a world record), promises, and informal rules. Another important word is somoku (背く), which means to turn one's back on or disobey, often used in the context of disobeying a master, a parent, or one's own conscience. This carries a much more emotional or moral weight than the clinical ihan suru.

Ihan vs. Teishoku: 違反する (Ihan suru): Direct violation of a rule.
抵触する (Teishoku suru): To conflict with or run afoul of a law. Used when an action unintentionally or indirectly crosses a legal boundary.

In legal documents, you might also see shingai suru (侵害する), which means to infringe or encroach upon, such as kenri wo shingai suru (to infringe on rights). While ihan suru is about the rule itself, shingai suru focuses on the damage done to someone else's rights. Another formal term is itsudatsu suru (逸脱する), meaning to deviate or depart from. This is used when someone wanders away from a standard path or norm, like shakai-kihan kara itsudatsu suru (to deviate from social norms). While ihan is a hard break, itsudatsu is a drifting away. Finally, gyakurareru (逆らえる) means to oppose or defy, often used for defying authority figures or the flow of the times.

彼は親の言いつけに背いた。(Kare wa oya no iitsuke ni somoita.)

Translation: He disobeyed his parents' instructions. (Emotional/Personal)

Choosing between these words depends on the 'target' of the action. If the target is a law or regulation, use ihan suru. If the target is a person's command, use somoku or sakaraeru. If the target is a promise, use yaburu. In academic or highly technical legal discussions, fukaku-teishoku (non-conformity) or fukō-jun (non-compliance) might be used, but these are rare in everyday speech. For most learners, mastering the distinction between ihan suru (formal rules) and yaburu (informal/promises) is the most important step.

Register Comparison Table: - 違反する: Formal/Legal
- 破る: Neutral/Informal
- 背く: Literary/Emotional
- 抵触する: Highly Technical/Legal

新法が既存の条約に抵触する恐れがある。(Shin-pō ga kizon no jōyaku ni teishoku suru osore ga aru.)

Translation: There is a fear that the new law might conflict with existing treaties.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 違 originally depicted two feet walking in opposite directions, symbolizing a 'difference' or 'deviation'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK i.haɴ.su.ru

US i.haɴ.su.ru

Flat (Heiban) pitch accent. The pitch stays relatively level throughout the word.

Rhymes With

Jihan (time) Kihan (norm) Gohan (rice/meal) Shihan (teacher) Mihan (not yet done) Yohan (surplus) Hihan (criticism) Shihan (market)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ihan' as 'i-ham' (closing lips for 'n').
Skipping the 'n' beat, making it sound like 'iha-suru'.
Putting stress on the 'ha', which sounds unnatural in standard Japanese.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are common but require N3/N2 level study for full mastery.

Writing 4/5

The kanji 違 and 反 have many strokes and require practice to write neatly.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce as a suru-verb.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, often heard in news and announcements.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

ルール (Rule) 法律 (Law) 守る (To keep/protect) ダメ (No/Bad) 警察 (Police)

Learn Next

遵守する (To comply) 抵触する (To conflict with) 罰金 (Fine) 失格 (Disqualification) 権利 (Right)

Advanced

違憲 (Unconstitutional) 不法 (Illegal) 背徳 (Immoral) 逸脱 (Deviation) 侵害 (Infringement)

Grammar to Know

Particle に with verbs of direction/target

規則に違反する (Violate [against] the rules).

Suru-verbs (Noun + する)

違反 + する = 違反する.

Conditional 〜と (Natural consequence)

違反すると、罰金です。(If you violate, it's a fine.)

Noun modification with verbs

違反した人 (A person who violated).

Passive voice in formal contexts

違反と見なされる (To be considered a violation).

Examples by Level

ルールに違反してはいけません。

You must not violate the rules.

Uses '~te wa ikemasen' to express prohibition.

これは交通違反です。

This is a traffic violation.

Noun 'ihan' used in a simple 'A is B' sentence.

校則に違反しました。

I violated the school rules.

Past tense 'shimashita'.

違反すると危ないです。

It is dangerous if you violate (the rules).

Uses conditional '~to'.

スピード違反はダメです。

Speeding is not allowed.

'Speed-ihan' is a very common compound noun.

ゴミのルールに違反しないでください。

Please do not violate the trash rules.

Uses '~nai de kudasai' for a polite request.

彼はルールに違反した。

He violated the rules.

Plain past tense 'shita'.

違反はよくないです。

Violating (rules) is not good.

Simple adjective sentence.

法律に違反する行為はやめましょう。

Let's stop actions that violate the law.

Verb 'ihan suru' modifying the noun 'kōi' (action).

駐車違反で罰金を払いました。

I paid a fine for a parking violation.

Particle 'de' showing the reason/cause.

テストのルールに違反すると、失格になります。

If you violate the test rules, you will be disqualified.

Conditional '~to' followed by 'naru' (to become).

契約に違反しないように注意してください。

Please be careful not to violate the contract.

Uses '~nai yō ni' to express purpose/precaution.

その選手はドーピング規定に違反した。

That athlete violated doping regulations.

Specific noun 'kitei' (regulations) with 'ni'.

マナーに違反する人は嫌われます。

People who violate manners are disliked.

Passive verb 'kirawaremasu'.

指示に違反してはいけません。

You must not violate the instructions.

Formal prohibition.

彼は昨日、スピード違反で捕まった。

He was caught for speeding yesterday.

Passive 'tsukamaeru' -> 'tsukamatta'.

労働基準法に違反する企業が増えています。

The number of companies violating the Labor Standards Act is increasing.

Specific legal term 'Rōdō-kijun-hō'.

規約に違反したため、アカウントが停止されました。

The account was suspended because it violated the terms.

Uses 'tame' to show cause/reason.

もし契約に違反すれば、損害賠償を請求します。

If you violate the contract, we will claim damages.

Conditional '~ba' used for hypothetical legal consequence.

著作権に違反する動画をアップロードしてはいけない。

You must not upload videos that violate copyright.

Noun 'chosakuken' (copyright).

その行為は社会のルールに違反していると思います。

I think that action is in violation of social rules.

Expressing an opinion with '~to omoimasu'.

彼は選挙法に違反した疑いで調べられている。

He is being investigated on suspicion of violating election law.

Phrase '~no utagai de' (on suspicion of).

規定に違反しないことを確認しました。

I confirmed that it does not violate the regulations.

Nominalizing the clause with 'koto'.

安全基準に違反した製品が回収された。

Products that violated safety standards were recalled.

Passive 'kaishū sareta'.

この法律は憲法に違反している疑いがある。

There is a suspicion that this law violates the Constitution.

High-level concept 'Kenpō' (Constitution).

個人情報の取り扱いが規約に違反していたことが判明した。

It was revealed that the handling of personal information violated the terms.

Formal verb 'hanmei shita' (was revealed).

意図的ではなくても、違反は違反として処理されます。

Even if it wasn't intentional, a violation is processed as a violation.

Uses 'A wa A toshite' structure.

その条約に違反することは、国際的な信頼を失うことだ。

Violating that treaty means losing international trust.

Nominalizing both clauses to create an equivalence.

コンプライアンスの観点から、この行為は違反と見なされます。

From a compliance standpoint, this action is considered a violation.

Phrase '~no kanten kara' (from the standpoint of).

独占禁止法に違反する恐れがあるため、計画を見直した。

The plan was revised because there was a fear of violating the Antimonopoly Act.

Phrase 'osore ga aru' (there is a fear/risk).

彼は倫理規定に違反したとして、職を追われた。

He was ousted from his job for allegedly violating ethical regulations.

Phrase '~to shite' showing the reason/status.

プライバシーの侵害は、法に違反する重大な問題です。

Infringement of privacy is a serious problem that violates the law.

Connecting 'shingai' and 'ihan'.

当該行為が公序良俗に違反するかどうかが争点となった。

Whether the act in question violated public order and morals became the point of contention.

Legal term 'kōjo ryōzoku' (public order and morals).

その判決は、平等原則に違反すると強く批判された。

The ruling was strongly criticized for violating the principle of equality.

Abstract concept 'byōdō gensoku'.

手続き上の不備が、結果的に法令違反を招いた。

Procedural flaws eventually led to a violation of laws and ordinances.

Phrase '~wo maneita' (led to/invited).

この契約条項は、消費者保護法に違反する可能性がある。

This contract clause may potentially violate the Consumer Protection Act.

Formal term 'jōkō' (clause).

政治家が倫理観に違反する言動を繰り返すのは、由々しき事態だ。

It is a grave situation when politicians repeatedly engage in speech and behavior that violate ethical standards.

Adjective 'yuyushiki' (grave/serious).

情報の漏洩は、守秘義務違反に当たります。

Leakage of information constitutes a violation of the duty of confidentiality.

Phrase '~ni atarimasu' (constitutes/amounts to).

彼は自らの信念に違反することなく、任務を遂行した。

He carried out his mission without violating his own beliefs.

Using 'ihan' metaphorically for personal beliefs.

憲法違反の判決が下されるのは、極めて異例のことである。

It is extremely rare for a ruling of unconstitutionality to be handed down.

Phrase 'kiwamete irei' (extremely exceptional).

法実証主義の観点からは、悪法であっても違反は許されない。

From the perspective of legal positivism, even a bad law must not be violated.

Philosophical term 'hō-jisshō-shugi'.

その政策は、国際人道法の精神に違反しているとの指摘がある。

It has been pointed out that the policy violates the spirit of international humanitarian law.

Phrase '~to no shiteki ga aru' (there are points made that...).

契約の不履行が、直ちに信義則違反を構成するわけではない。

Non-performance of a contract does not immediately constitute a violation of the principle of good faith.

Legal principle 'shingisoku' (good faith).

最高裁は、その規定が憲法の保障する基本的人権に違反すると判示した。

The Supreme Court ruled that the regulation violates the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Formal verb 'hanshita' (ruled/judged).

彼は、実定法に違反してでも正義を貫こうとした。

He tried to carry out justice even if it meant violating positive law.

Phrase '~shite demo' (even if I have to...).

手続き的正義への違反は、実体法上の瑕疵以上に重大視されることがある。

Violations of procedural justice are sometimes viewed more seriously than flaws in substantive law.

Legal term 'kashi' (flaw/defect).

条約違反の制裁措置として、経済封鎖が検討されている。

Economic blockades are being considered as a sanction for treaty violations.

Phrase 'seisai-sochi' (sanction measures).

学問の自由に違反する大学の措置に対し、広範な抗議が巻き起こった。

Widespread protests erupted against the university's measures that violated academic freedom.

Phrase 'kōhan na kōgi' (widespread protest).

Common Collocations

法律に違反する

交通規則に違反する

契約に違反する

規約に違反する

憲法に違反する

校則に違反する

ドーピング規定に違反する

倫理規定に違反する

スピード違反

駐車違反

Common Phrases

違反切符

— A violation ticket (traffic ticket). It is the physical paper given by police.

警察に違反切符を切られた。

スピード違反

— Speeding. One of the most common everyday uses of the word.

スピード違反で罰金を払った。

駐車違反

— Parking violation. Very common in urban areas of Japan.

駐車違反のステッカーが貼られた。

契約違反

— Breach of contract. A standard business term.

それは明らかな契約違反です。

ルール違反

— Rule violation. Used in games, sports, and social situations.

そんなのルール違反だよ！

法令違反

— Violation of laws and ordinances. A formal legal term.

会社は法令違反の疑いで調査を受けた。

マナー違反

— Violation of manners/etiquette. Used for social rudeness.

電車内での通話はマナー違反だ。

選挙法違反

— Violation of election law. Common in political news.

彼は選挙法違反で逮捕された。

著作権違反

— Copyright violation. Common in the age of the internet.

著作権違反のサイトが閉鎖された。

飲酒運転違反

— Drunk driving violation. A very serious crime in Japan.

飲酒運転違反は厳しく罰せられる。

Often Confused With

違反する vs 間違える (machigaeru)

Machigaeru is for accidental mistakes (like a typo). Ihan is for breaking a rule (even if accidental, it's a violation).

違反する vs 反する (han-suru)

Han-suru is broader and can mean 'to be contrary to expectations' or 'to go against a theory'. Ihan is strictly for rules/laws.

違反する vs 破る (yaburu)

Yaburu is used for promises and is much less formal than ihan suru.

Idioms & Expressions

"法に触れる"

— To go against the law; to get in trouble with the law.

法に触れるようなことはしたくない。

General

"道に外れる"

— To stray from the path of righteousness or morality.

彼は道に外れた生き方をしている。

Literary

"一線を越える"

— To cross the line (into illegal or immoral territory).

その行為は一線を越えている。

General

"禁を破る"

— To break a prohibition or a ban.

彼はついに禁を破って酒を飲んだ。

Literary

"掟を破る"

— To break the 'law' or 'code' of a group (like a clan or gang).

組織の掟を破る者は許されない。

Dramatic

"足を踏み外す"

— To make a mistake in life; to fall into a life of crime.

一度足を踏み外すと、戻るのは難しい。

General

"後ろ指を指される"

— To be talked about behind one's back (for doing something wrong/violating norms).

違反をして後ろ指を指されたくない。

General

"お縄を頂戴する"

— To be arrested (archaic/humorous).

ついに彼もお縄を頂戴したか。

Slang/Archaic

"法を潜る"

— To evade the law; to find a loophole.

法を潜って利益を得る企業がある。

General

"身を滅ぼす"

— To ruin oneself (often by violating laws or social norms).

ギャンブルで身を滅ぼした。

General

Easily Confused

違反する vs 反則 (hansoku)

Both mean 'breaking rules'.

Hansoku is almost exclusively used for 'fouls' in sports or games. Ihan is for laws and social regulations.

サッカーで反則をした。(Committed a foul in soccer.)

違反する vs 違法 (ihō)

Both involve breaking the law.

Ihō is an adjective/noun meaning 'illegal'. Ihan suru is the verb meaning 'to violate'. You 'ihan' a law, which makes your action 'ihō'.

それは違法な行為だ。(That is an illegal act.)

違反する vs 不法 (fuhō)

Both mean illegal.

Fuhō often implies 'lawlessness' or 'unlawful entry/possession' (e.g., fuhō-shinnyū).

不法投棄は禁止です。(Illegal dumping is prohibited.)

違反する vs 逸脱 (itsudatsu)

Both mean not following a standard.

Itsudatsu means to 'deviate' or 'stray' from a path or norm, often used for social behavior rather than specific laws.

常識から逸脱した行動。(Behavior that deviates from common sense.)

違反する vs 侵害 (shingai)

Both involve breaking rules/rights.

Shingai focuses on the damage to someone's rights (e.g., privacy, copyright). Ihan focuses on the rule itself.

プライバシーを侵害する。(To infringe on privacy.)

Sentence Patterns

[Rule] に違反してはいけません。

ルールに違反してはいけません。

[Rule] に違反したので、[Result]。

スピード違反をしたので、罰金を払いました。

[Law/Contract] に違反する恐れがあります。

その行為は契約に違反する恐れがあります。

[Action] は [Regulation] に違反していると見なされる。

この行為は規約に違反していると見なされる。

[Law] 違反の疑いで [Action]。

公職選挙法違反の疑いで逮捕された。

[Concept] に違反するかどうかが争点である。

それが憲法に違反するかどうかが争点である。

これは [Noun] 違反です。

これは駐車違反です。

[Rule] に違反しないように気をつけてください。

校則に違反しないように気をつけてください。

Word Family

Nouns

違反 (ihan) - violation

違反者 (ihansha) - violator

違反金 (ihankin) - fine/penalty

違反行為 (ihankōi) - act of violation

Verbs

違反する (ihan suru) - to violate

Adjectives

違反的な (ihanteki na) - violative (rarely used, usually 'ihan no')

違約 (iyaku) - breach of promise/contract

違法 (ihō) - illegal

反則 (hansoku) - foul (in sports)

背任 (hainin) - breach of trust

不履行 (furikō) - non-performance

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in news, legal, and traffic contexts. Moderate in daily casual speech.

Common Mistakes

Using 'wo' instead of 'ni'. → 法律に違反する (hōritsu ni ihan suru)
Japanese grammar treats the rule as the target of the action, requiring 'ni'.
Using 'ihan suru' for personal promises. → 約束を破る (yakusoku wo yaburu)
Ihan suru is too formal for friends and family. It's for official rules.
Confusing 'ihan' with 'hansoku'. → サッカーで反則をした (soccer de hansoku wo shita)
Hansoku is for sports fouls; ihan is for laws/regulations.
Misspelling 違反 as 違返. → 違反
The second kanji is 反 (anti), not 返 (return). They look similar.
Using 'ihan suru' for an accidental mistake like a typo. → 間違える (machigaeru)
Ihan implies breaking a rule, not just a simple error.

Tips

Particle 'ni' is Key

Always remember to use 'ni' with 'ihan suru'. Think of it as 'complying TO' or 'acting AGAINST' the rule.

Learn Compound Nouns

Learning 'speed-ihan' and 'chūsha-ihan' will help you recognize most everyday uses of the word immediately.

Social Harmony

Understand that 'ihan' in Japan often carries a sense of 'disturbing the peace', not just breaking a technical law.

Formal Situations

Use 'ihan suru' in business to sound professional. Using 'yaburu' for a contract breach sounds too childish.

Police Context

If you hear a police officer say 'ihan', listen for the word before it to know exactly what rule you broke.

Kanji Precision

The kanji 違 (i) has many strokes. Take your time to write the 'shinnyū' (road) radical correctly at the bottom.

I-HAN!

Think of 'I' (me) being 'HAN' (against) the rules. I-HAN!

Legal vs. Casual

Never use 'ihan' for small personal mistakes. It's like calling a typo a 'felony' in English.

Kanji Meaning

Knowing that 反 means 'against' helps you remember many other words like 'hantai' (opposite).

News Headlines

Look for 違反 in the news to see which laws are currently being discussed in Japan.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a person standing between two lines (the rules). If they step out, they are 'I' (違 - different) and 'Han' (反 - against) the lines. I-HAN!

Visual Association

Visualize a red 'X' over a rulebook. The red 'X' is the 'Ihan'.

Word Web

Law (Hōritsu) Rule (Kisoku) Contract (Keiyaku) Fine (Bakkin) Police (Keisatsu) Foul (Hansoku) Compliance (Konpuraiansu) Traffic (Kōtsū)

Challenge

Try to find 3 signs in a Japanese train station or street that mention '違反' (ihan). Usually, they are about parking or trash.

Word Origin

Borrowed from Middle Chinese. The word uses the 'on-yomi' (Sino-Japanese readings) of the characters 違 and 反.

Original meaning: To differ from and oppose. Originally used in Chinese classical texts to describe going against the will of heaven or the emperor.

Sino-Japanese (Kango)

Cultural Context

Be careful when accusing someone of 'ihan'. It is a formal charge. In social settings, use softer words like 'dame' or 'yameyo'.

In English, 'violation' sounds very strong. In Japanese, 'ihan' is the standard word for everything from a parking ticket to a constitutional crisis.

The 'Road Traffic Act' (Dōro Kōtsū-hō) is the most cited law regarding 'ihan' in daily life. Supreme Court cases regarding 'Kenpō-ihan' (unconstitutionality). News reports on 'Seiji-shikin-kigeshō-hō ihan' (political fund violations).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Traffic

スピード違反
駐車違反
信号無視 (similar context)
違反切符

Business Contracts

契約違反
守秘義務違反
規約に違反する
違約金

Sports

ルール違反
ドーピング違反
反則
失格

Internet/Tech

利用規約違反
著作権違反
アカウント停止
ガイドライン違反

Politics/Law

憲法違反
選挙法違反
公序良俗に違反する
法令違反

Conversation Starters

"最近、交通違反で警察に止められたことはありますか？ (Have you been stopped by the police for a traffic violation recently?)"

"日本のルールで、違反しやすいものは何だと思いますか？ (What Japanese rules do you think are easy to violate?)"

"スポーツで一番ひどいルール違反は何だと思いますか？ (What do you think is the worst rule violation in sports?)"

"もし同僚が会社の規約に違反していたら、どうしますか？ (What would you do if a colleague was violating company terms?)"

"スピード違反の罰金は、あなたの国ではいくらですか？ (How much is the fine for speeding in your country?)"

Journal Prompts

自分がこれまでに犯してしまった小さな違反（校則やマナーなど）について書いてください。 (Write about a small violation you've committed in the past, like a school rule or manners.)

なぜ人々は法律に違反してしまうのだと思いますか？ (Why do you think people violate the law?)

「ルールに違反すること」と「個人の自由」のバランスについてどう考えますか？ (What are your thoughts on the balance between 'violating rules' and 'personal freedom'?)

最近ニュースで見た「違反」に関するニュースについて、自分の意見を書きましょう。 (Write your opinion on a news story about a 'violation' that you saw recently.)

もし自分が新しい国のリーダーなら、どんな違反を一番厳しく罰しますか？ (If you were the leader of a new country, what violation would you punish most severely?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, that would sound very strange and overly formal. For personal promises, use 'yakusoku wo yaburu' or 'yakusoku wo mamoranai'. 'Ihan suru' is for official rules and laws.

'Hansoku' is specifically for 'fouls' in sports (like a yellow card in soccer). 'Ihan' is for laws (like speeding) or formal regulations (like a contract).

It is always 'hōritsu ni ihan suru'. In Japanese, you act 'against' (ni) the law, rather than directly 'violating' (wo) it as an object.

Yes, very commonly. Phrases like 'speed-ihan' (speeding) and 'chūsha-ihan' (parking violation) use it as a noun.

Yes, it always implies that someone has done something wrong or illegal according to a set of rules.

You would be 'kōsoku-ihan'. Usually, this results in 'shidō' (guidance/punishment) from teachers.

Yes, for things like 'dōpingu-ihan' (doping violation) or 'rūru-ihan' (rule violation).

No. For space or privacy, 'shingai' (infringement) or 'jama suru' (to bother) is more appropriate.

It is a penalty fee for a breach of contract (iyaku is a related word to ihan). 'Ihan-kin' is also used for fines.

Not necessarily. A parking 'ihan' might just be a fine, while a constitutional 'ihan' is a legal ruling. It depends on the rule broken.