法规

fǎguī: 法规 - Laws and Regulations

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: 法规 fǎguī meaning, Chinese word for regulation, laws and regulations in Chinese, fagui definition, Chinese legal terms, what does fagui mean, 法规 vs 法律, Chinese business compliance
  • Summary: Understand 法规 (fǎguī), the essential Chinese term for “laws and regulations.” This page explains what 法规 means, distinguishing it from the broader concept of 法律 (fǎlǜ) or “law.” Learn how these specific rules and regulations shape modern Chinese society, from business operations to daily life, and master its usage with practical examples and cultural context for a deeper understanding of China's legal framework.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): fǎguī
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 6
  • Concise Definition: Laws, rules, and regulations, particularly those established by a government authority to implement broader laws.
  • In a Nutshell: 法规 (fǎguī) is the nitty-gritty of the legal system. If 法律 (fǎlǜ) is the main highway, 法规 are all the specific traffic signs, speed limits, and local ordinances that tell you exactly how to drive on it. It's a broad term for the binding rules issued by government bodies that everyone—from individuals to giant corporations—must follow.

Character Breakdown

  • 法 (fǎ): This character means “law,” “method,” or “standard.” The left side (氵) is the “water” radical, suggesting fairness and an even-flowing standard for everyone.
  • 规 (guī): This character originally referred to a compass or a tool for drawing circles. By extension, it came to mean “rule,” “regulation,” or “standard”—something that sets a clear boundary or pattern to follow.
  • Together, 法规 (fǎguī) literally translates to “law-rules,” a powerful combination that refers to the established, legally-binding regulations that govern behavior in society.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • 法规 is a cornerstone of China's modern civil law system, which relies heavily on written statutes and codes. This reflects a long-standing tradition of top-down governance, where the state creates detailed rules to maintain social order and guide economic development. The sheer volume and specificity of 法规 in China show the government's active role in managing all aspects of society.
  • Comparison to Western Legal Concepts: In a common law system like the United States, judicial precedent (past court rulings) plays a massive role in shaping the law. In China, while judicial interpretations are gaining importance, the primary source of legal authority remains the written 法规 issued by legislative and administrative bodies. For a Westerner, understanding 法规 means shifting focus from “what did the courts decide?” to “what does the regulation explicitly say?”. This emphasis on written rules makes compliance a matter of carefully studying official documents rather than interpreting case law.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 法规 is a formal and official term. You will encounter it frequently in news reports, government announcements, legal documents, and business contexts. It's not typically used in very casual, everyday chat unless discussing a specific new rule.
  • In Business: This is where you'll hear 法规 most often. Companies, both domestic and foreign, must navigate a complex web of regulations.
    • 劳动法规 (láodòng fǎguī) - Labor regulations
    • 环保法规 (huánbǎo fǎguī) - Environmental regulations
    • 税务法规 (shuìwù fǎguī) - Tax regulations
  • In Government and News: Media will report when the government 出台 (chūtái) - issues or rolls out - new 法规 on topics ranging from data security to food safety.
  • In Daily Life: An individual might discuss a new 交通法规 (jiāotōng fǎguī) (traffic regulation) that affects their commute or new housing regulations that impact the real estate market.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我们公司必须严格遵守当地的法规。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī bìxū yángé zūnshǒu dāngdì de fǎguī.
    • English: Our company must strictly comply with local laws and regulations.
    • Analysis: A very common and practical sentence in a business context. 遵守 (zūnshǒu) is the standard verb for “abide by” or “comply with” when talking about rules.
  • Example 2:
    • 政府最近出台了新的环保法规。
    • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ zuìjìn chūtái le xīn de huánbǎo fǎguī.
    • English: The government recently rolled out new environmental regulations.
    • Analysis: 出台 (chūtái) is a key verb meaning “to issue” or “publish,” used specifically for new policies and regulations.
  • Example 3:
    • 根据相关法律法规，你不能在这里停车。
    • Pinyin: Gēnjù xiāngguān fǎlǜ fǎguī, nǐ bùnéng zài zhèlǐ tíngchē.
    • English: According to relevant laws and regulations, you cannot park here.
    • Analysis: The phrase 法律法规 (fǎlǜ fǎguī) is a very common set phrase used in official contexts to mean “laws and regulations” in the most comprehensive sense.
  • Example 4:
    • 违反交通法规是危险的，而且会被罚款。
    • Pinyin: Wéifǎn jiāotōng fǎguī shì wēixiǎn de, érqiě huì bèi fákuǎn.
    • English: Violating traffic regulations is dangerous, and you will be fined.
    • Analysis: 违反 (wéifǎn) is the direct opposite of 遵守 (zūnshǒu), meaning “to violate” or “to breach.”
  • Example 5:
    • 在中国做生意，了解最新的法规变化至关重要。
    • Pinyin: Zài Zhōngguó zuò shēngyì, liǎojiě zuìxīn de fǎguī biànhuà zhì guān zhòngyào.
    • English: When doing business in China, understanding the latest changes in regulations is critically important.
    • Analysis: This sentence highlights the dynamic nature of regulations in China and the need for constant awareness.
  • Example 6:
    • 这项法规旨在保护消费者的权益。
    • Pinyin: Zhè xiàng fǎguī zhǐ zài bǎohù xiāofèizhě de quányì.
    • English: This regulation aims to protect consumers' rights and interests.
    • Analysis: 旨在 (zhǐ zài) means “to aim to” or “for the purpose of,” explaining the goal behind a regulation.
  • Example 7:
    • 每个公民都应该学习基本的法律法规知识。
    • Pinyin: Měi ge gōngmín dōu yīnggāi xuéxí jīběn de fǎlǜ fǎguī zhīshi.
    • English: Every citizen should learn basic knowledge of laws and regulations.
    • Analysis: Another example of the common collocation 法律法规.
  • Example 8:
    • 外国投资者需要一位熟悉中国法规的律师。
    • Pinyin: Wàiguó tóuzīzhě xūyào yī wèi shúxī Zhōngguó fǎguī de lǜshī.
    • English: Foreign investors need a lawyer who is familiar with Chinese regulations.
    • Analysis: Shows the practical application and complexity, often requiring expert help.
  • Example 9:
    • 新的法规对数据安全提出了更严格的要求。
    • Pinyin: Xīn de fǎguī duì shùjù ānquán tíchū le gèng yángé de yāoqiú.
    • English: The new regulations have put forward stricter requirements for data security.
    • Analysis: Demonstrates how 法规 are used to set specific standards (要求 yāoqiú).
  • Example 10:
    • 如果不确定，最好查一下相关的法规条文。
    • Pinyin: Rúguǒ bù quèdìng, zuìhǎo chá yīxià xiāngguān de fǎguī tiáowén.
    • English: If you're not sure, it's best to look up the relevant regulatory articles.
    • Analysis: 条文 (tiáowén) refers to the specific articles or clauses within a legal text.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • The Crucial Difference: 法规 (fǎguī) vs. 法律 (fǎlǜ)
    • This is the most common point of confusion for learners. They are not interchangeable.
    • 法律 (fǎlǜ) - “Law”: This refers to the highest level of law, the statutes passed by the national legislature (the National People's Congress). Think of major, foundational laws like the “Criminal Law” (刑法) or “Civil Code” (民法典). It is the “what.”
    • 法规 (fǎguī) - “Regulations”: This refers to more specific rules created by government bodies under the legislature (like the State Council or local governments) to implement and detail the broader 法律. It is the “how.”
    • Analogy: 法律 (fǎlǜ) is the constitution of a sports league that says “fair play is required.” 法规 (fǎguī) are the specific rules in the rulebook that define what a foul is, how many players can be on the field, and the penalties for breaking the rules.
  • Incorrect Usage:
    • Incorrect: 中国的宪法是一个重要的法规。 (Zhōngguó de xiànfǎ shì yī gè zhòngyào de fǎguī.)
    • Why it's wrong: The Constitution (宪法) is the highest 法律 (fǎlǜ), not a mere regulation.
    • Correct: 中国的宪法是国家的根本法律。 (Zhōngguó de xiànfǎ shì guójiā de gēnběn fǎlǜ.)

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 法律 (fǎlǜ): The most critical related term. It means “law” and refers to higher-level statutes enacted by the primary legislative body. 法规 are created to implement 法律.
  • 规定 (guīdìng): “Rule,” “provision,” “stipulation.” A more granular term that can refer to a specific rule within a 法规, or even a company's internal policy (e.g., 公司规定 - company rules).
  • 政策 (zhèngcè): “Policy.” Represents the government's direction, goals, or stance on an issue. A 政策 is not a law itself but often leads to the creation of new 法规 to put the policy into action.
  • 条例 (tiáolì): “Regulations,” “rules.” Often used in the official titles of specific 法规, such as the “Regulations on the Management of…” (《…管理条例》). It is a specific type of 法规.
  • 宪法 (xiànfǎ): “Constitution.” The supreme law of the land, the highest form of 法律.
  • 遵守 (zūnshǒu): A verb meaning “to comply with” or “abide by.” Commonly used with 法规.
  • 违反 (wéifǎn): A verb meaning “to violate” or “infringe.” The antonym of 遵守.
  • 制度 (zhìdù): “System,” “institution.” A very broad term for a set of organized rules and practices (e.g., the legal system, 法律制度). A 制度 is upheld by 法规.