The Meaning of kyōsei [強制] In Japanese

強制
きょうせい
Romaji: kyōsei N3

What does 強制 mean?

Translation and Meaning

coercion, compulsion

Definition

A noun describing the act of enforcing rules or actions on others through authority, often against their will.

Type

Noun (名詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Forcing someone to act under authority or pressure.
  • Compulsory enforcement of rules, laws, or policies.
  • In a legal or administrative context, the act or result of making something mandatory.

Etymology

From qiángzhì via Japanese on’yomi readings kyōsei; the characters are read as kyō and sei in compounds.

Composition

  • 強: intense power, strength
  • 制: to govern, to restrain, to regulate

Usage

Used mainly in formal, legal, administrative, and technical contexts; not common in casual speech; typical phrases include 強制的に, 強制力, and 強制措置 in official documents and policies.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: Strong (強) + to restrain (制) = a rule that presses you into obedience; kyōsei is the forceful enforcement you cannot freely refuse.

Variations

  • 強要 (kyōyō) — coercion or forcing someone to comply
  • 任意 (nin’i) — voluntary, related concept
  • 自由 (jiyū) — freedom, antonym

Example Phrases

  • 上司に残業を強制されるのはつらい。
    Jōshi ni zangyō o kyōsei sareru no wa tsurai.
    It’s tough to be forced to work overtime by my boss.
    Lista:
    • 上司 (jōshi) – boss
    • に (ni) – by
    • 残業 (zangyō) – overtime
    • を (o) – object marker
    • 強制される (kyōsei sareru) – to be forced
    • のは (no wa) – the fact that
    • つらい (tsurai) – tough
    The core grammar point is the noun 「強制」 meaning coercion; here it combines with the passive 「強制される」 to express ‘to be forced’, with the agent marked by 「上司に」.
強制