what is the difference between [法度]{はっと} and [法律]{ほうりつ}?


To add a bit more to my question, I'm wondering if the words are used
interchangeably, or if 法度 has more a sense of law that is set up to ban or
prohibit something? Is 法度 a commonly used word?




法律 is the general word for "law", as in 「法律を守る」(obey the
law),「法律で禁止されている」(forbidden by law) or 「渡辺法律事務所」(Watanabe Law Firm).

I believe that the most common use of 法度【はっと】 is to mean "something that is
terribly bad manners", and that it's almost always used with ご in front —
「ご法度」. A quick Web search found:

> 新郎・新婦の恋愛遍歴話はご法度:結婚式でゲストがやってはいけない非常識な行動
>
> "Talking about the bride and groom's ex-lovers is a no-no: faux pas that
> guests mustn't make at weddings"

It seems that originally, 法度 meant a law forbidding something, but I don't
think it's used in modern-day legal discussions.




法律 is the general word for "law", as in 「法律を守る」(obey the
law),「法律で禁止されている」(forbidden by law) or 「渡辺法律事務所」(Watanabe Law Firm).

I believe that the most common use of 法度【はっと】 is to mean "something that is
terribly bad manners", and that it's almost always used with ご in front —
「ご法度」. A quick Web search found:

> 新郎・新婦の恋愛遍歴話はご法度:結婚式でゲストがやってはいけない非常識な行動
>
> "Talking about the bride and groom's ex-lovers is a no-no: faux pas that
> guests mustn't make at weddings"

It seems that originally, 法度 meant a law forbidding something, but I don't
think it's used in modern-day legal discussions.

