条例

tiáolì: 条例 - Regulations, Rules, Ordinance

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Discover the meaning of 条例 (tiáolì), a fundamental Chinese term for 'regulations,' 'rules,' or 'ordinances.' This page explains how 条例 differs from broader concepts like 'law' (法律) and 'rules' (规则), providing clear examples from government, business, and daily life. Understanding tiáolì is essential for anyone navigating the formal, structured aspects of modern Chinese society.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): tiáolì
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 6
  • Concise Definition: A set of formal regulations, rules, or ordinances issued by a governing body or organization.
  • In a Nutshell: Think of 条例 (tiáolì) as an official rulebook for a specific domain. It's more formal and binding than a simple guideline but generally less authoritative than a national “law” (法律, fǎlǜ). These are the detailed, article-by-article rules that govern things like traffic safety, city management, or company conduct.

Character Breakdown

  • 条 (tiáo): This character originally meant “twig” or “branch.” It has since evolved to mean a strip, an item, a clause, or an article (as in an article of law). In 条例, it refers to the individual, numbered items or clauses that make up the regulations.
  • 例 (lì): This character means “example,” “precedent,” or “rule.” It implies something established that serves as a model to be followed.
  • The characters combine to mean “clauses (条) that serve as a rule/precedent (例).” This beautifully illustrates the concept of a structured, itemized set of binding rules.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 条例 (tiáolì) reflects the structured, and often bureaucratic, nature of governance in China. There is a strong cultural emphasis on having clear, written rules that are handed down from a position of authority, whether it's the central government, a local municipality, or a company's management. These regulations provide a framework for orderly conduct and social management.
  • Comparison to Western Concepts: In the West, we have various terms like “regulations” (e.g., from the EPA), “ordinances” (from a city council), and “bylaws” (for an organization). 条例 covers a similar functional space. However, the cultural feeling is often more top-down. While Western regulations often arise from a long process of public debate and legislative compromise, a 条例 is often perceived as a directive issued by an administrative body to implement a broader policy or law. The focus is on clear instruction and compliance.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 条例 (tiáolì) is a highly formal term. You will encounter it frequently in official documents, news reports about new government policies, legal texts, and corporate handbooks.
  • You would almost never use it in casual conversation. To talk about your “house rules” or the “rules of a game,” you would use the more general term 规则 (guīzé).
  • Formality: Strictly formal.
  • Connotation: Neutral. It is simply a descriptive term for a set of official rules.

Contexts of Use

  • Government: Local and national bodies issue 条例 on everything from environmental protection to data security. Ex: 《中华人民共和国道路交通安全法实施条例》 - “Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the PRC”.
  • Corporate: Large companies have employee handbooks that can be referred to as 条例. Ex: 《公司员工行为条例》 - “Company Employee Conduct Regulations”.
  • Public Institutions: Schools, parks, and libraries all have their own 条例 governing user behavior. Ex: 《图书馆阅览室条例》 - “Library Reading Room Regulations”.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 所有司机都必须遵守交通安全条例。
    • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu sījī dōu bìxū zūnshǒu jiāotōng ānquán tiáolì.
    • English: All drivers must abide by the traffic safety regulations.
    • Analysis: A very common and straightforward use. 条例 refers to the official, legally binding set of traffic rules.
  • Example 2:
    • 政府最近颁布了新的环保条例。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ zuìjìn bānbùle xīn de huánbǎo tiáolì.
    • English: The government recently promulgated new environmental protection regulations.
    • Analysis: The verb 颁布 (bānbù - to promulgate/issue) is frequently used with 条例, highlighting its official and formal nature.
  • Example 3:
    • 根据条例第五条的规定，禁止在公共场所吸烟。
    • Pinyin: Gēnjù tiáolì dì wǔ tiáo de guīdìng, jìnzhǐ zài gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ xīyān.
    • English: According to the provisions of Article 5 of the regulations, smoking is prohibited in public places.
    • Analysis: This shows how 条例 is seen as a document with numbered articles (条). “According to the regulations” is a very common phrase in formal contexts.
  • Example 4:
    • 他的行为严重违反了公司的管理条例。
    • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi yánzhòng wéifǎnle gōngsī de guǎnlǐ tiáolì.
    • English: His behavior seriously violated the company's management regulations.
    • Analysis: The verb 违反 (wéifǎn - to violate) is the standard term for breaking a 条例.
  • Example 5:
    • 这项条例草案将向公众征求意见。
    • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng tiáolì cǎo'àn jiāng xiàng gōngzhòng zhēngqiú yìjiàn.
    • English: This draft ordinance will be open to the public for comments.
    • Analysis: 草案 (cǎo'àn) means “draft.” This shows the process of creating a 条例 can involve public consultation.
  • Example 6:
    • 每个城市都有自己的市容管理条例。
    • Pinyin: Měi gè chéngshì dōu yǒu zìjǐ de shìróng guǎnlǐ tiáolì.
    • English: Every city has its own regulations on urban appearance management.
    • Analysis: This illustrates how 条例 are often specific to a particular jurisdiction, like a city.
  • Example 7:
    • 请在入职前仔细阅读员工手册和相关条例。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng zài rùzhí qián zǐxì yuèdú yuángōng shǒucè hé xiāngguān tiáolì.
    • English: Please carefully read the employee handbook and related regulations before starting your job.
    • Analysis: This is a practical example from a business context, where 条例 refers to binding company policies.
  • Example 8:
    • 这个新条例旨在保护消费者的权益。
    • Pinyin: Zhège xīn tiáolì zhǐ zài bǎohù xiāofèizhě de quányì.
    • English: This new regulation aims to protect consumers' rights and interests.
    • Analysis: This highlights the purpose or goal behind a set of regulations.
  • Example 9:
    • 新条例从下个月一日起开始生效。
    • Pinyin: Xīn tiáolì cóng xià ge yuè yī rì qǐ kāishǐ shēngxiào.
    • English: The new regulations will take effect from the first of next month.
    • Analysis: The phrase 开始生效 (kāishǐ shēngxiào - to take effect) marks the official implementation date of the rules.
  • Example 10:
    • 如果不遵守这些条例，你可能会被罚款。
    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ bù zūnshǒu zhèxiē tiáolì, nǐ kěnéng huì bèi fákuǎn.
    • English: If you do not comply with these regulations, you may be fined.
    • Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the consequences of violating a 条例, which often carry legal or financial penalties.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 条例 (tiáolì) vs. 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Regulations vs. Law: This is the most critical distinction. A 法律 (fǎlǜ) is a “law” passed by the highest national legislative body. A 条例 is a set of “regulations” or an “ordinance,” usually created by a lower-level administrative body (like the State Council or a city government) to implement a law or govern a specific area. A 条例 cannot contradict a 法律.
    • Incorrect: 中国的交通条例说醉驾是犯法的。 (The “regulation” says drunk driving is illegal.)
    • Correct: 中国的法律规定醉驾是犯罪行为。 (China's “law” stipulates that drunk driving is a criminal offense.)
  • 条例 (tiáolì) vs. 规定 (guīdìng) - Regulations vs. Provision/Rule: 规定 (guīdìng) is a much broader term. It can mean “a rule,” “a provision,” or the verb “to stipulate.” A 条例 is a complete, formal document made up of many individual 规定. You can have one 规定, but a 条例 is always a full set.
    • Incorrect: 公司的条例是下午六点下班。 (The company “regulations” is getting off work at 6 PM.)
    • Correct: 公司的规定是下午六点下班。 (The company “rule/provision” is getting off work at 6 PM.)
  • 条例 (tiáolì) vs. 规则 (guīzé) - Regulations vs. Rules: 规则 (guīzé) is the most general word for “rules.” It applies to games (游戏规则), social norms, and general guidelines. It lacks the official, authoritative weight of 条例. You follow the 规则 of chess, but you comply with the 条例 of the city.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. The highest level of legally binding rules in a country, senior to 条例.
  • 法规 (fǎguī) - Laws and regulations. A collective noun that includes both 法律 and 条例.
  • 规定 (guīdìng) - Provision, rule; to stipulate. A more general term for a rule; a 条例 is made up of many 规定.
  • 规则 (guīzé) - Rule(s). The most general term, used for games, traffic, and unwritten social rules.
  • 章程 (zhāngchéng) - Articles of association, bylaws. The specific founding rules that govern an organization, company, or association.
  • 颁布 (bānbù) - To promulgate, issue, publish (laws, regulations). The official verb for releasing a new 条例.
  • 遵守 (zūnshǒu) - To abide by, comply with, observe. The verb for following a 条例.
  • 违反 (wéifǎn) - To violate, transgress, go against. The verb for breaking a 条例.
  • 草案 (cǎo'àn) - Draft (of a law, plan, etc.). A 条例 exists as a 草案 before it is officially passed.