法院

• Pinyin: fǎ yuàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 法 = 氵(water) + 去 (to go), meaning law; 院 = 阝(mound/wall) + 完 (complete), meaning institution or compound

Meaning

Court; courthouse. A judicial institution where legal cases are heard and decided.

The standard term for a court of law. In China, courts are formally called 人民法院 (People's Court). Common phrases include 上法院 (go to court), 法院判决 (court ruling), and 最高法院 (Supreme Court). Used in news, legal discussions, and everyday conversation about disputes.

Examples

1. 他们的纠纷最后闹到了法院。 Their dispute eventually ended up in court.
2. 法院已经对这个案件做出了判决。 The court has already made a ruling on this case.
3. 明天我要去法院办一些手续。 I need to go to the courthouse tomorrow to handle some paperwork.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, official

Tone: formal

Do Say

• 这个案子已经交给法院处理了。(This case has already been handed over to the court.)
• 法院会公正地审理每一个案件。(The court will hear every case fairly.)

Don't Say

• 把'法院'和'法庭'完全等同 (Don't treat 法院 and 法庭 as identical — 法院 is the court as an institution, while 法庭 refers to the courtroom or tribunal where a trial takes place)

Origin & History

Compound of 法 (law) and 院 (institution, courtyard). Literally 'law institution,' the place where law is administered.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal