憲法
けんぽう · kenpou · JLPT N3 · noun
fundamental law
📜⚖️ 憲法 = fundamental law + law: the law that all other laws rest on
憲 means a fundamental rule, as in 憲章 (charter), and 法 means law or method, as in 文法 (grammar). Kenpou sounds like Ken's power: the constitution says how much power the state has.
法 — water 氵 + go 去
Originally written 灋, combining the water radical 氵 (suggesting a level standard, like water finding its level), the mythical beast 廌 (which judged guilt), and 去 (to remove or banish). The 廌 was later dropped, leaving 法. The core meaning evolved from 'law' or 'standard' to also include 'method' and 'way of doing'.