Code of the streets
American Slang Term
American
★★★★☆ Common
Casual
Meaning: The unwritten rules governing behavior, loyalty, and survival in street culture.
街头文化中支配行为、忠诚和生存的潜规则。
Las reglas no escritas que rigen el comportamiento, la lealtad y la supervivencia en la cultura callejera.
ストリート文化における行動、忠誠、生存を支配する暗黙のルール。
거리 문화에서 행동, 충성, 생존을 지배하는 불문율.
An informal code that governs life in communities where formal law enforcement is distrusted. Includes rules about loyalty, respect, not snitching, handling disputes, and protecting your family.
在不信任正式执法机构的社区中,支配日常生活的一套非正式规则。包括关于忠诚、尊重、不告密、处理纠纷和保护家人的规矩。
Un código informal que rige la vida en comunidades donde se desconfía de las fuerzas del orden. Incluye reglas sobre lealtad, respeto, no delatar, resolver disputas y proteger a la familia.
公的な法執行が信頼されないコミュニティで生活を支配する非公式な掟。忠誠、敬意、密告しないこと、争いの解決方法、家族を守ることなどのルールを含む。
공식적인 법 집행이 불신받는 커뮤니티에서 삶을 지배하는 비공식 규율이다. 충성, 존중, 밀고 금지, 분쟁 해결, 가족 보호에 관한 규칙을 포함한다.
Examples
- According to the code of the streets, you handle your own problems. 按照街头的规矩,自己的问题自己解决。Según el código de la calle, resuelves tus propios problemas.ストリートの掟によれば、自分の問題は自分で片をつける。거리의 규칙에 따르면 자기 문제는 스스로 해결한다.
- He lived by the code of the streets — loyalty above everything. 他按街头的规矩活——忠诚高于一切。Vivía según el código de la calle — la lealtad por encima de todo.彼はストリートの掟に従って生きた——何よりも忠誠が大事。그는 거리의 규칙에 따라 살았다 — 무엇보다 충성이 우선이다.
- The code of the streets says you don't involve outsiders in family business. 街头的规矩是:家里的事不让外人插手。El código de la calle dice que no involucras a extraños en asuntos familiares.ストリートの掟では、家族の問題に部外者を巻き込まない。거리의 규칙은 집안일에 외부인을 끌어들이지 않는 것이다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: street culture, loyalty, community norms
Tone: serious, rule-bound
✓ Do Say
- That's the code of the streets.这就是街头的规矩。Ese es el código de la calle.それがストリートの掟だ。그게 거리의 규칙이야.
- He lives by the code.他按规矩办事。Vive según el código.彼はその掟に従って生きている。그는 거리의 규칙대로 살아.
✗ Don't Say
- Romanticizing street codes ignores the systemic issues that create them.将街头规矩浪漫化,忽视了造成这些规矩的系统性问题。Romantizar los códigos callejeros ignora los problemas sistémicos que los crean.ストリートの掟を美化することは、それを生み出す制度的問題を無視することになる。거리의 규칙을 낭만화하면 그것을 만들어낸 구조적 문제를 무시하게 된다.
Origin & History
Sociological concept documented by Elijah Anderson in 'Code of the Street' (1999). Describes the informal social order in inner-city communities.
Cultural Context
Era: 1990s–present
Generation: All ages
Social background: Working class / Street culture
Regional notes: All regions — especially urban areas
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