违法

• Pinyin: wéi fǎ
• Hanzi breakdown: 违 = 辶 (walk) + 韦, to violate; 法 = 氵(water) + 去, law

Meaning

To break the law; illegal; against the law.

A formal term for actions that violate laws and regulations. Can be used as verb (to break the law) or adjective (illegal). Common in legal, official, and news contexts. More formal than 犯法 which is used more colloquially.

Examples

1. 酒后驾车是严重的违法行为，会受到法律制裁。 Drunk driving is a serious violation of the law and will be legally punished.
2. 这家公司因为违法排放污水被罚款一百万元。 This company was fined one million yuan for illegally discharging sewage.
3. 任何违法的事情我们都不能做。 We cannot do anything that is against the law.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, official, news

Tone: serious

Do Say

• 违法行为。(Illegal behavior.)
• 这样做是违法的。(Doing this is illegal.)

Don't Say

• 违法规则 — use 违反规则 for rules; 违法 specifically refers to laws

Origin & History

Compound of 违 (violate/go against) + 法 (law), meaning to go against the law.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal