fǎdìng: 法定 - Legal, Statutory, Prescribed by law

• Keywords: 法定, fading, fading Chinese meaning, statutory in Chinese, legal in Chinese, prescribed by law, legal age, public holiday, legal representative, Chinese legal terms
• Summary: Learn the precise meaning of the Chinese term 法定 (fǎdìng), a key word in legal and official contexts. This page breaks down what “statutory” or “prescribed by law” really means in China, distinguishing it from the more general term “legal” (合法, héfǎ). Discover its use in common phrases like 法定假日 (fǎdìng jiàrì) for public holidays and 法定年龄 (fǎdìng niánlíng) for legal age, with clear examples and cultural insights for any beginner learning Mandarin.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fǎdìng
• Part of Speech: Adjective
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: Established or stipulated by law; statutory; legal.
• In a Nutshell: 法定 (fǎdìng) doesn't just mean something is “allowed” by law. It means something is specifically *defined, created, or required* by a formal law or statute. Think of it as “legally designated” or “officially set by law.” It points to a specific rule in the law books, such as the minimum age for marriage or the official national holidays.

• 法 (fǎ): This character means “law,” “method,” or “standard.” The left part (氵) is the “water” radical, symbolizing fairness and being level. The right part (去, qù) means “to go away,” which anciently implied getting rid of what is unjust. Together, it represents a standard that eliminates unfairness.
• 定 (dìng): This character means “to decide,” “to fix,” “to set,” or “to establish.” It depicts a roof (宀) over a proper or correct element (正), suggesting the act of establishing something correctly in its place.
• When combined, 法定 (fǎdìng) literally means “law-established” or “fixed by law.” The characters perfectly capture the essence of a rule or status that has been formally and authoritatively set down in the legal code.

In Chinese culture, particularly in the context of the People's Republic of China, the law is often seen as a top-down instrument of the state used to govern and create order. The term 法定 (fǎdìng) reflects this formal, codified approach to governance. It carries a strong sense of official authority and immutability. A useful comparison for Western learners is the distinction between “statutory” and “lawful.”

• 法定 (fǎdìng) is like “statutory.” It refers to something created by a statute (a written law). The “statutory age of consent” is a perfect example—the number itself is written into the law. It's a 法定年龄 (fǎdìng niánlíng).
• A more general term, 合法 (héfǎ), is like “lawful” or “legal.” It describes an action that complies with the law. For example, a “lawful business transaction” doesn't create a new rule; it simply doesn't break any existing ones.

Using 法定 (fǎdìng) emphasizes that a specific right, obligation, or definition comes directly from the government's legal text. This reinforces the value placed on formal regulations and the state's role as the ultimate arbiter of rules in society.

法定 (fǎdìng) is a formal term. You will encounter it frequently in news reports, legal documents, official announcements, and business contracts. It is not typically used in casual, everyday conversation unless discussing a specific legal topic. Its connotation is neutral and objective, simply stating a legal fact. Common collocations include:

• 法定假日 (fǎdìng jiàrì): Public holiday / statutory holiday
• 法定代表人 (fǎdìng dàibiǎorén): Legal representative (of a company)
• 法定年龄 (fǎdìng niánlíng): Legal age (for marriage, drinking, etc.)
• 法定程序 (fǎdìng chéngxù): Legal/statutory procedures
• 法定货币 (fǎdìng huòbì): Legal tender / fiat currency

• Example 1:
  • 春节是中国最重要的法定假日之一。
  • Pinyin: Chūnjié shì Zhōngguó zuì zhòngyào de fǎdìng jiàrì zhī yī.
  • English: The Spring Festival is one of China's most important public holidays.
  • Analysis: This shows the most common usage of 法定. The holidays are not just traditional; they are officially designated by law.
• Example 2:
  • 他是这家公司的法定代表人。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì zhè jiā gōngsī de fǎdìng dàibiǎorén.
  • English: He is the legal representative of this company.
  • Analysis: A crucial term in Chinese business. The “legal representative” is the person officially registered with the government and legally responsible for the company.
• Example 3:
  • 中国的法定结婚年龄是男性22岁，女性20岁。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de fǎdìng jiéhūn niánlíng shì nánxìng èrshí'èr suì, nǚxìng èrshí suì.
  • English: China's legal age for marriage is 22 for men and 20 for women.
  • Analysis: 法定年龄 clearly states that these ages are set by law, not just by custom.
• Example 4:
  • 人民币是中国的法定货币。
  • Pinyin: Rénmínbì shì Zhōngguó de fǎdìng huòbì.
  • English: The Renminbi is the legal tender of China.
  • Analysis: This means the government has legally declared it as the official currency for settling debts.
• Example 5:
  • 任何人都必须遵守法定的程序。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé rén dōu bìxū zūnshǒu fǎdìng de chéngxù.
  • English: Everyone must abide by the statutory procedures.
  • Analysis: This emphasizes that there are specific, legally-mandated steps that must be followed in a process (e.g., a court case, an application).
• Example 6:
  • 这是法律赋予我的法定权利。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì fǎlǜ fùyǔ wǒ de fǎdìng quánlì.
  • English: This is a statutory right granted to me by the law.
  • Analysis: Using 法定 here stresses that the right isn't just a moral one, but one that is explicitly written into the legal code.
• Example 7:
  • 公司必须保证员工的法定工作时间。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī bìxū bǎozhèng yuángōng de fǎdìng gōngzuò shíjiān.
  • English: The company must guarantee the employees' statutory working hours.
  • Analysis: This refers to the maximum number of work hours per week as stipulated by labor law.
• Example 8:
  • 在父母双亡的情况下，法院会指定一名法定监护人。
  • Pinyin: Zài fùmǔ shuāngwáng de qíngkuàng xià, fǎyuàn huì zhǐdìng yī míng fǎdìng jiānhùrén.
  • English: In the event of the death of both parents, the court will appoint a legal guardian.
  • Analysis: The term 法定 signifies that this guardian's status is officially recognized and enforced by the legal system.
• Example 9:
  • 根据规定，上市公司每年都需要进行一次法定审计。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù guīdìng, shàngshì gōngsī měinián dōu xūyào jìnxíng yī cì fǎdìng shěnjì.
  • English: According to regulations, listed companies must undergo a statutory audit once a year.
  • Analysis: This highlights a requirement imposed by law, not just good business practice.
• Example 10:
  • 法官必须在法定刑罚的范围内量刑。
  • Pinyin: Fǎguān bìxū zài fǎdìng xíngfá de fànwéi nèi liàngxíng.
  • English: The judge must sentence within the range of the statutory punishment.
  • Analysis: This shows that the law prescribes a specific range of penalties for a crime, and the judge's discretion is limited by this “law-established” range.

The most common mistake for English speakers is confusing 法定 (fǎdìng) with 合法 (héfǎ).

• 法定 (fǎdìng): Statutory. Use this when the law *defines* or *specifies* something. It answers the question, “What does the law say this is?”
  • Example: The 法定 speed limit is 60 km/h. (The law sets the number 60).
• 合法 (héfǎ): Lawful / Legal. Use this when an action *complies with* the law. It answers the question, “Is this action against the law?”
  • Example: Driving at 50 km/h is a 合法 action. (The action follows the rule).

Incorrect Usage:

• Wrong: 我的生意是法定的。 (Wǒ de shēngyì shì fǎdìng de.)
• Why it's wrong: This sounds like you are saying “My business is statutory.” It implies your business itself is a law or was created by a specific statute, which is nonsensical.
• Correct: 我的生意是合法的。 (Wǒ de shēngyì shì héfǎ de.) - My business is legal/lawful.

Think of it this way: The government makes a 法定 (fǎdìng) rule, and your job is to act in a 合法 (héfǎ) way.

• 合法 (héfǎ) - Lawful, legal. Describes an action that conforms to the law. The direct contrast to `法定`.
• 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law; statute. This is the body of rules from which `法定` requirements are derived.
• 规定 (guīdìng) - Regulation; rule; to stipulate. A specific rule, often a `法定` one. The verb `规定` is what creates a `法定` standard.
• 非法 (fēifǎ) - Illegal; unlawful. The direct antonym of `合法`.
• 官方 (guānfāng) - Official; government. The authority that sets `法定` rules.
• 政策 (zhèngcè) - Policy. Related to government rules, but a policy may not have the force of law like a `法定` requirement.
• 权利 (quánlì) - Right; privilege. Rights are often `法定`权利 (statutory rights) guaranteed by law.
• 义务 (yìwù) - Duty; obligation. A responsibility that is often a `法定`义务 (statutory obligation).
• 章程 (zhāngchéng) - Rules; regulations; articles of association (for a company). These are often required to comply with `法定` procedures.