司法

• Pinyin: sī fǎ
• Hanzi breakdown: 司 = 口 (mouth) + 一 + 丨 — to manage, oversee; 法 = 氵(water radical) + 去 (go) — law (water symbolising impartiality)

Meaning

Judiciary; the administration of justice; to administer law. Refers to the judicial branch of government and its functions.

A formal term central to discussions of law, governance, and civil rights. Used as a modifier in compounds such as 司法机关 (judicial organs), 司法独立 (judicial independence), and 司法改革 (judicial reform). Fundamental to Chinese legal and political discourse at all levels.

Examples

1. 司法机关必须严格依法办事，不得受任何外部力量的干预。 Judicial organs must handle cases strictly in accordance with the law and must not be subject to interference from any external force.
2. 完善司法制度是建设法治社会的重要基础，需要长期持续的努力。 Improving the judicial system is an important foundation for building a society governed by the rule of law and requires sustained long-term effort.
3. 该国的司法改革将法院体系与行政机构完全分离，以保障司法独立。 The country’s judicial reform completely separated the court system from administrative bodies to safeguard judicial independence.

Usage Guide

Context: law, government, formal writing

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 保障公民的基本权利，是司法体系履行其职能的根本出发点与落脚点。(Safeguarding citizens' fundamental rights is the essential starting point and ultimate aim of the judicial system in fulfilling its functions.)
• 面对这起跨国经济犯罪案件，两国司法部门展开了紧密的协作与情报共享。(Confronted with this transnational economic crime case, the judicial authorities of both countries engaged in close cooperation and intelligence sharing.)

Don't Say

• 不要将 司法 与 执法 混淆 — 司法 refers to the judicial system and adjudication of law, while 执法 refers to law enforcement and the act of applying regulations on the ground

Origin & History

司 (to manage, to be in charge of) + 法 (law) — to administer the law; the judicial function of the state

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal