`犯罪` is more than just a legal definition; it's deeply tied to the Chinese cultural emphasis on social order and harmony. In Western cultures, the legal principle of “innocent until proven guilty” is a cornerstone of public consciousness. While this principle is also codified in Chinese law, the cultural weight of being accused of a `犯罪` is immense. An accusation alone can bring great shame (see 面子 (miànzi)) not just to the individual, but to their entire family. The focus is often on the disruption of social stability caused by the act. Therefore, `犯罪` is seen as an offense against the collective good and the state's authority, not just a violation of an abstract rule. This contrasts with a more individualistic Western perspective where a crime is often framed as an offense by one individual against another. The term is a pillar in China's ongoing development of “rule of law” (法治 fǎzhì), representing a shift towards a more formalized and codified legal system.
`犯罪` is a formal and serious term. Its use is largely confined to specific, non-casual contexts.
A common mistake is to use `犯罪` for any mistake or rule-breaking. It is much more serious. Forgetting a friend's birthday is a “mistake” (`错误 cuòwù`), not a “crime” (`犯罪`).
`违法` means “to break the law” and is broader than `犯罪`. All crimes (`犯罪`) are illegal acts (`违法`), but not all illegal acts are crimes. A parking ticket is `违法`, but it is not `犯罪`. `犯罪` refers specifically to violations of the criminal law, which are more serious.
`犯罪` is the act or concept of committing a crime. `有罪 (yǒu zuì)` means “to be guilty.”