gesetzlich

Gesetzlich is a German adjective meaning "by law" or "statutory." It describes something that is established or required by statute rather than by contract or custom. In everyday language it appears in phrases such as gesetzliche Vorschriften or gesetzliche Pflichten.

Etymology: from Gesetz (law) and the suffix -lich, forming a term that denotes something derived from or defined by law. The word is common in legal, administrative, and policy contexts.

Usage: In legal and policy texts, gesetzlich marks rights, duties, or rules created by statutes. Examples include gesetzliche Krankenversicherung (statutory health insurance), gesetzliche Rente (statutory pension), and gesetzliche Altersgrenze (statutory age limit). It is often paired with phrases like gesetzlich vorgeschrieben ("required by law") or gesetzlich festgelegt ("established by statute"). It contrasts with freiwillig (voluntary) or privat (private) in contexts such as social security or insurance.

See also: Gesetz, Verordnung, Verfassungsrecht. While related to legal authority, gesetzlich emphasizes statutory codification rather than administrative or constitutional status.