合法

• Pinyin: hé fǎ
• Hanzi breakdown: 合 = lid fitting a container — to conform; 法 = 氵(water) + 去 (go) — law, like water finding its level

Meaning

Legal; lawful; legitimate. In accordance with the law.

Describes actions, rights, or entities that comply with the law. The opposite is 非法 (illegal). Common phrases: 合法权益 (legal rights and interests), 合法收入 (lawful income), 合法经营 (legal operation). Used in legal, business, and everyday contexts.

Examples

1. 每个公民的合法权益都应该受到保护。 The legal rights of every citizen should be protected.
2. 这家公司是合法经营的。 This company operates legally.
3. 你需要确认这种做法是合法的。 You need to confirm whether this practice is lawful.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, business, news

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 我们要通过合法的方式解决问题。(We should solve problems through legal means.)
• 他的收入都是合法的。(All his income is lawful.)

Don't Say

• 今天的天气很合法。(Don't use 合法 for non-legal contexts — it specifically means 'in accordance with law.' Say 今天的天气很好.)

Origin & History

Compound of 合 (to conform/fit) and 法 (law). Together they mean 'conforming to the law' — legal.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal