====== tiáolì: 条例 - Regulations, Rules, Ordinance ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** 条例 meaning, what is tiaoli in Chinese, Chinese word for regulations, rules vs regulations in Chinese, ordinance in Chinese, 条例 vs 法律, Chinese legal terms, tiaoli pinyin, learn Chinese vocabulary. * **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.