执法

• Pinyin: zhí fǎ
• Hanzi breakdown: 执 = 扌+ 丸 (hand holding — carry out); 法 = 氵+ 去 (water flowing according to rules — law)

Meaning

To enforce the law; law enforcement. The act of applying legal rules and ensuring compliance.

A formal term used in legal, governmental, and policing contexts. Common collocations include 执法人员 (law enforcement personnel), 执法部门 (enforcement agencies), 严格执法 (strict enforcement), and 依法执法 (lawful enforcement).

Examples

1. 交警在路口执法，查处违章车辆。 Traffic police enforced the law at the intersection, cracking down on vehicles that broke the rules.
2. 执法人员依法对该企业的排污行为进行了处罚。 Law enforcement officers penalized the company for illegal discharges in accordance with the law.
3. 公正执法是维护社会秩序的重要保障。 Fair law enforcement is an important safeguard for maintaining social order.

Usage Guide

Context: legal, government, policing

Tone: official

Do Say

• 城管部门加强执法力度，整治占道经营问题。(Urban management authorities have strengthened enforcement to address illegal street vending.)
• 执法必须做到公开透明，接受群众监督。(Law enforcement must be open and transparent, accepting public oversight.)

Don't Say

• 老师在教室里执法 — teachers do not 执法; use 管教 or 维持纪律 for classroom discipline

Origin & History

执 (carry out/hold) + 法 (law)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal