Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== wéizhāng: 违章 - To Violate Regulations, Illegal (e.g., parking) ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 违章, weizhang, what does weizhang mean, Chinese for illegal parking, breaking the rules in Chinese, traffic violation Chinese, 违章建筑, 违章停车, Chinese regulations, infraction vs crime in Chinese. * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese term **违章 (wéizhāng)**, which means "to violate regulations" or "to break the rules." It's most commonly used for everyday infractions like illegal parking (`违章停车`), running a red light, or unauthorized construction (`违章建筑`). This page breaks down the characters, explains its cultural significance in modern China, and provides numerous examples to help you understand the crucial difference between a minor violation (`违章`) and a serious crime (`犯法`). ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wéi zhāng * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Adjective * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 * **Concise Definition:** To go against or break established rules, articles, or regulations. * **In a Nutshell:** **违章 (wéizhāng)** is the word for breaking a rule that isn't a serious criminal law. Think of it as an "infraction" or "violation." It's the perfect term for getting a parking ticket, jaywalking, or breaking a specific company policy. It carries the feeling of an administrative offense that usually results in a warning or a fine, rather than a moral failing or a major crime. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **违 (wéi):** This character means "to disobey," "to violate," or "to go against." It's composed of the 辶 (chuò) radical, which signifies movement or walking, and 韦 (wéi), which provides the sound. You can think of it as "moving against" an order or rule. * **章 (zhāng):** This character means "chapter," "section," or, in this context, "regulation" or "rule." It can also refer to a seal or stamp, which historically was a symbol of official authority and the rules that came with it. When combined, **违章 (wéizhāng)** literally means "to violate the regulations"—a straightforward and logical combination. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The concept of **违章 (wéizhāng)** is a cornerstone of daily life and social order in China. In a society that highly values order (`秩序 zhìxù`) and adherence to collective rules, defining and policing minor infractions is crucial for maintaining public harmony. Compared to the general English word "illegal," **违章** is far more specific. While a Westerner might say "illegal parking" and "illegal drug trafficking" using the same word ("illegal"), Chinese makes a clear distinction. **违章** is for the former, while a much more serious word like `犯法 (fànfǎ)` (to commit a crime) would be used for the latter. This distinction is important. An act of **违章** doesn't typically brand someone as a "bad person" or a criminal. It's seen as a lapse in judgment or a disregard for administrative rules, often committed out of convenience. A very common example is **违章建筑 (wéizhāng jiànzhù)**—illegal structures like extra rooms or balconies added to buildings without permission. This is a widespread phenomenon in dense Chinese cities, highlighting the constant tension between official regulations and the practical needs or desires of individuals. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== **违章** is a high-frequency word you'll encounter constantly, especially in urban environments. * **Traffic Violations (Most Common):** This is the primary context for the word. * `交通违章 (jiāotōng wéizhāng)` - traffic violation * `违章停车 (wéizhāng tíngchē)` - illegal parking * `违章驾驶 (wéizhāng jiàshǐ)` - illegal/unsafe driving (e.g., speeding, running a red light) * **Rule-Breaking in Organizations:** It can be used for breaking rules in a company, factory, or school. * `违章操作 (wéizhāng cāozuò)` - to violate operating procedures (e.g., using machinery unsafely) * The school might announce: `禁止任何违章行为 (jìnzhǐ rènhé wéizhāng xíngwéi)` - "All rule-breaking behaviors are forbidden." * **As an Adjective:** It can directly modify a noun. * `违章车辆 (wéizhāng chēliàng)` - an illegally parked vehicle * `违章建筑 (wéizhāng jiànzhù)` - an illegal structure or building The connotation is consistently negative but low in severity. It's a formal-sounding word used in everyday situations, often seen on official notices, traffic signs, and fine receipts. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 你这样停车是**违章**的，会被贴罚单。 * Pinyin: Nǐ zhèyàng tíngchē shì **wéizhāng** de, huì bèi tiē fádān. * English: Parking like this is a violation; you'll get a ticket. * Analysis: A classic, everyday use of **违章**. The consequence mentioned, `贴罚单 (tiē fádān)` (to get a ticket put on your car), is the typical result of a traffic violation. * **Example 2:** * 他因为多次**违章**驾驶，驾照被吊销了。 * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi duōcì **wéizhāng** jiàshǐ, jiàzhào bèi diàoxiāo le. * English: His driver's license was revoked because of multiple driving violations. * Analysis: This shows that repeated **违章** can lead to more serious consequences than just a fine. * **Example 3:** * 这个城市正在集中清理**违章**建筑。 * Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì zhèngzài jízhōng qīnglǐ **wéizhāng** jiànzhù. * English: This city is currently conducting a focused clean-up of illegal structures. * Analysis: Demonstrates the use of **违章** outside of traffic, in the context of urban planning and regulation. * **Example 4:** * 警察告诉我，我刚刚闯红灯是**违章**行为。 * Pinyin: Jǐngchá gàosù wǒ, wǒ gānggāng chuǎng hóngdēng shì **wéizhāng** xíngwéi. * English: The police officer told me that running the red light just now was an illegal act. * Analysis: Here, **违章** is used as an adjective modifying `行为 (xíngwéi)`, meaning "act" or "behavior." * **Example 5:** * 工厂规定，任何**违章**操作都可能导致解雇。 * Pinyin: Gōngchǎng guīdìng, rènhé **wéizhāng** cāozuò dōu kěnéng dǎozhì jiěgù. * English: The factory regulations state that any violation of operating procedures could lead to dismissal. * Analysis: This example shows the term's use in a workplace or industrial safety context. * **Example 6:** * 我的车被拖走了，因为我**违章**停车了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ de chē bèi tuō zǒu le, yīnwèi wǒ **wéizhāng** tíngchē le. * English: My car was towed because I parked illegally. * Analysis: A very common complaint you might hear or say. Notice how `违章` is part of the verb phrase `违章停车`. * **Example 7:** * 很多**违章**都是被摄像头拍下来的。 * Pinyin: Hěnduō **wéizhāng** dōu shì bèi shèxiàngtóu pāi xiàlái de. * English: A lot of violations are caught on camera. * Analysis: **违章** can also be used as a noun to refer to "an act of violation" or "an infraction" itself. * **Example 8:** * 在人行道上骑自行车算**违章**吗？ * Pinyin: Zài rénxíngdào shàng qí zìxíngchē suàn **wéizhāng** ma? * English: Does riding a bike on the sidewalk count as a violation? * Analysis: A practical question showing how to ask if a certain action constitutes a **违章**. * **Example 9:** * 这张罚单是上周的一个**违章**记录。 * Pinyin: Zhè zhāng fádān shì shàng zhōu de yí ge **wéizhāng** jìlù. * English: This fine is the record of a violation from last week. * Analysis: Again, **违章** is used here as a noun, part of the phrase `违章记录` (violation record). * **Example 10:** * 为了图方便而**违章**，结果因小失大，太不值了。 * Pinyin: Wèile tú fāngbiàn ér **wéizhāng**, jiéguǒ yīn xiǎo shī dà, tài bù zhí le. * English: Breaking the rules for convenience resulted in losing more than you gained; it's just not worth it. * Analysis: This sentence contains a moral and uses the common pattern `为了...而...` (in order to... thereby...). It reflects the common attitude towards **违章**. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== The most critical mistake for an English speaker is confusing **违章 (wéizhāng)** with being a criminal. * **`违章 (wéizhāng)` vs. `犯法 (fànfǎ)`:** This is the key distinction. * **违章 (wéizhāng):** To violate a regulation. The consequence is usually a fine or administrative penalty (e.g., points on a license). **Example:** Illegal parking. * **犯法 (fànfǎ):** To break the law (a criminal law). The consequence can be arrest and imprisonment. **Example:** Robbery, assault, theft. * **Incorrect Usage:** You would **never** say: `他杀人了，这真是严重的违章。` (Tā shā rén le, zhè zhēnshi yánzhòng de wéizhāng.) -> //"He murdered someone, this is a really serious violation."// * **Correct Usage:** You must say: `他杀人了，这是在犯法。` (Tā shā rén le, zhè shì zài fànfǎ.) -> //"He murdered someone, this is breaking the law."// Think of **违章** as breaking the "rules of the game" of daily civic life, while `犯法` is breaking the fundamental laws of society. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[犯法]] (fànfǎ) - To commit a crime. The more serious counterpart to `违章`. * [[违法]] (wéifǎ) - To break the law. A broader, more formal term that can encompass both minor infractions (`违章`) and serious crimes (`犯法`). * [[规定]] (guīdìng) - A regulation, a rule. This is the official rule that one breaks when they `违章`. * [[罚款]] (fákuǎn) - A fine, a monetary penalty. The most common consequence for a `违章` act. * [[违规]] (wéiguī) - To violate rules. A very close synonym of `违章`. `违规` is often preferred for non-traffic contexts, like breaking rules in a competition (`比赛违规`) or a company (`操作违规`). * [[规则]] (guīzé) - Rules, regulations. Often used for games, sports, and general principles. * [[交通]] (jiāotōng) - Traffic, transportation. The most common domain where `违章` occurs. * [[驾照]] (jiàzhào) - Driver's license. Something that can be affected by too many `违章` acts. * [[章程]] (zhāngchéng) - Written rules, articles of association (e.g., of a company). The `章` in `违章` is related to this formal concept of written rules.