法則
ほうそく · housoku · JLPT N2 · noun
rule
⚖️ 法 (law) + 則 (rule) = 法則: two words for rule, joined into one principle
法 means law and 則 means a standard or rule. Together they name a fixed principle, such as the laws of physics.
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'.