Japanese symbol for “legalization”

合法化

ごうほうか

Romaji: gouhouka

legalization; legalisation

In Japanese, legalization is 合法化, read ごうほうか (gouhouka).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

n, vs, vt legalization; legalisation

Kanji and stroke order

合

fit, suit, join

on: ゴウ、ガッ、カッ
kun: あ.う、-あ.う、あ.い、あい-

6 strokes · JLPT 3

法

method, law, rule

on: ホウ、ハッ、ホッ、フラン
kun: のり

8 strokes · JLPT 2

化

change, take the form of, influence

on: カ、ケ
kun: ば.ける、ば.かす、ふ.ける、け.する

4 strokes · JLPT 2

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
場合	ばあい baai	case; occasion; situation
試合	しあい shiai	match; game; bout
総合	そうごう sougou	synthesis; combination; integration
合う	あう au	to come together; to merge; to unite
連合	れんごう rengou	union; combination; alliance
合計	ごうけい goukei	sum total; total amount
方法	ほうほう houhou	method; way; manner
法律	ほうりつ houritsu	law; legislation; act
文化	ぶんか bunka	culture; civilization; civilisation

Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.