法律

• Pinyin: fǎ lǜ
• Hanzi breakdown: 法 = 氵(water) + 去 (to go), meaning law; 律 = 彳(step) + 聿 (writing brush), meaning regulation

Meaning

Law; legislation. The system of rules established by a government to regulate behaviour.

The standard, general term for law as a body of rules. Appears in many important phrases: 法律知识 (legal knowledge), 法律保护 (legal protection), 法律责任 (legal liability), 违反法律 (violate the law). Used in both formal and everyday discussions about rights, regulations, and justice.

Examples

1. 每个公民都应该遵守法律。 Every citizen should obey the law.
2. 他大学学的是法律专业。 He studied law at university.
3. 这种行为已经违反了法律。 This kind of behaviour has already violated the law.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, society

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 我们要学习法律知识。(We should learn about the law.)
• 法律面前人人平等。(Everyone is equal before the law.)

Don't Say

• 把'法律'和'规定'混用 (Don't confuse 法律 with 规定 — 法律 refers to formal laws passed by legislatures, while 规定 means rules or regulations set by organisations or departments)

Origin & History

Compound of 法 (law, method) and 律 (regulation, rule). Both characters relate to rules and order; together they form the comprehensive term for law.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal