宪法

• Pinyin: xiàn fǎ
• Hanzi breakdown: 宪 = 宀 + 害 (law enshrined above); 法 = 氵+ 去 (water flowing in the right direction — justice)

Meaning

Constitution; the fundamental law of a state that establishes the framework of government and guarantees basic rights.

The supreme legal document in a country, defining state power, citizens' rights, and governmental structures. In China, it is the 中华人民共和国宪法, last amended in 2018.

Examples

1. 宪法是国家的根本大法，任何法律都不得与之相抵触。 The Constitution is the fundamental law of the nation, and no law may conflict with it.
2. 公民有权依据宪法的规定维护自己的合法权益。 Citizens have the right to protect their lawful rights and interests in accordance with the Constitution.
3. 本届政府庄严承诺将严格依照宪法行使全部职权。 This administration solemnly pledges to exercise all its powers strictly in accordance with the Constitution.

Usage Guide

Context: law, politics, civic education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 修宪程序必须经全国人民代表大会审议并获得通过。(Constitutional amendment procedures must be reviewed and passed by the National People's Congress.)
• 保障公民的基本权利是宪法最核心的职能之一。(Protecting citizens' fundamental rights is one of the most central functions of the constitution.)

Don't Say

• 我们家的宪法规定不能玩游戏 — use 家规 or 规定 for household rules; 宪法 is strictly a formal term for national constitutional law

Origin & History

宪 (law/statute) + 法 (law/method) — the foundational law above all other laws

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal