Droit, Recht, Derecho, Diritto
From Continental European languages
Basic ideas
What it means
In French, German, Spanish and Italian, one word covers both 'law' as a whole and 'a right' that someone holds. English has two separate words, law and right.
Why it travels badly
A sentence like 'le droit de propriété' can be read as 'the right of property' or 'property law', and only context tells you which. Translators have to choose, and a wrong choice changes the meaning.
How other systems say it
derecho / diritto
The same double meaning, with 'objetivo' and 'subjetivo' to separate them.
Tip for translators and students
Check whether the author means 'law' (the system) or 'a right' (what someone holds). The Latin pair ius and lex helps: ius is the broader law and right, lex is a statute.
Related: Rechtsstaat
Updated October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
TheLawToKnow Tools’s glossary is an educational overview of the main differences between legal systems. It is not legal advice.
