jìlǜ: 纪律 - Discipline, Rules, Order

• Keywords: jìlǜ, 纪律, Chinese discipline, what does jilv mean, discipline in Chinese, Chinese rules, school discipline, work discipline, military discipline, self-discipline, HSK 5
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 纪律 (jìlǜ), the Chinese word for discipline. This page explores how jìlǜ is more than just punishment; it's a foundational concept of order and rules in Chinese society, shaping everything from school and work life to personal self-control. Learn its cultural significance, practical usage, and how it differs from the Western idea of “discipline.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìlǜ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A system of rules, regulations, and order for a group; discipline.
• In a Nutshell: 纪律 (jìlǜ) is the framework of rules that governs a collective, like a school, a company, or an army. It's less about individual punishment and more about maintaining group harmony and order. Think of it as the “code of conduct” that everyone is expected to follow. While it can be externally imposed and feel strict, it's generally seen as a positive force for creating a stable and productive environment. It can also refer to personal self-control, or 自律 (zìlǜ).

• 纪 (jì): This character's original meaning was the main, organizing thread on a loom. From this, it came to mean “to record,” “an era,” or a “principle” that brings order. Think of it as the foundational line that keeps everything else in place.
• 律 (lǜ): This character relates to laws, statutes, and regulations. It's also used in the word for “lawyer” (律师, lǜshī). It represents a standard or a rule that must be followed.
• Together, 纪律 (jìlǜ) literally translates to “principles and laws.” This combination perfectly captures the idea of a comprehensive system of rules that creates order and defines proper conduct within a group.

In Chinese culture, 纪律 (jìlǜ) is deeply intertwined with collectivist values and the Confucian emphasis on social harmony (和谐, héxié) and order (秩序, zhìxù). The smooth functioning of the group is often prioritized over individual desires, and 纪律 is the primary tool to achieve this. It's the framework that ensures everyone knows their role and behaves in a way that benefits the collective. A useful comparison is with the Western concept of “rules and regulations.” While similar, 纪律 (jìlǜ) carries a stronger moral and behavioral weight. It's not just a list of “dos and don'ts”; it's a code of conduct that reflects one's character and commitment to the group. A person with good 纪律 is seen as reliable, responsible, and a good team member. This contrasts with the Western emphasis on “discipline,” which often focuses more on individual willpower and self-improvement for personal gain, whereas 纪律 is often about self-improvement for the good of the group.

纪律 (jìlǜ) is a formal and common word used in structured environments.

This is one of the most common contexts for 纪律. It refers to all school rules, from wearing the uniform to being on time. A teacher might scold a class for having “no discipline” (没有纪律, méiyǒu jìlǜ).

Companies use this term to refer to their internal code of conduct, policies, and professional expectations. Breaking company 纪律 can lead to a formal warning or even dismissal.

In these contexts, 纪律 is absolute and paramount. It refers to the strict code of conduct that ensures obedience, order, and effectiveness. Party discipline (党的纪律, dǎng de jìlǜ) is a crucial concept within the Chinese Communist Party.

While the default meaning is external, it can be used for personal conduct, often as 自律 (zìlǜ), which means “self-discipline.” A person who is very organized and has strong willpower can be described as 有纪律 (yǒu jìlǜ).

• Example 1:
• 学生必须遵守学校的纪律。
• Pinyin: Xuéshēng bìxū zūnshǒu xuéxiào de jìlǜ.
• English: Students must abide by the school's discipline.
• Analysis: A very common and standard sentence you would see in a student handbook. 遵守 (zūnshǒu), “to abide by,” is a frequent partner of 纪律.
• Example 2:
• 他因为严重违反工作纪律而被解雇了。
• Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi yánzhòng wéifǎn gōngzuò jìlǜ ér bèi jiěgù le.
• English: He was fired for seriously violating work discipline.
• Analysis: This shows the serious consequences of breaking 纪律 in a professional context. 违反 (wéifǎn) means “to violate.”
• Example 3:
• 军人以服从纪律为天职。
• Pinyin: Jūnrén yǐ fúcóng jìlǜ wéi tiānzhí.
• English: For a soldier, obeying discipline is their bounden duty.
• Analysis: This sentence highlights the absolute, non-negotiable nature of 纪律 in the military. 天职 (tiānzhí) means “bounden duty” or “vocation.”
• Example 4:
• 这个班的孩子太活泼了，没什么纪律。
• Pinyin: Zhège bān de háizi tài huópō le, méishénme jìlǜ.
• English: The children in this class are too lively; there's not much discipline.
• Analysis: Here, 纪律 is used to mean a sense of orderliness and control in a group. Its absence (没什么纪律) implies a state of mild chaos.
• Example 5:
• 保持健康需要很强的纪律性。
• Pinyin: Bǎochí jiànkāng xūyào hěn qiáng de jìlǜ xìng.
• English: Staying healthy requires a strong sense of discipline.
• Analysis: The suffix 性 (-xìng) turns the noun 纪律 into a quality, “the quality of being disciplined.” This is similar to saying “self-discipline.”
• Example 6:
• 如果没有纪律，团队就无法成功。
• Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu jìlǜ, tuánduì jiù wúfǎ chénggōng.
• English: Without discipline, a team cannot succeed.
• Analysis: This sentence expresses the cultural value placed on 纪律 as a prerequisite for collective achievement.
• Example 7:
• 公司对所有员工的纪律要求都很严格。
• Pinyin: Gōngsī duì suǒyǒu yuángōng de jìlǜ yāoqiú dōu hěn yángé.
• English: The company's disciplinary requirements for all employees are very strict.
• Analysis: 严格 (yángé), meaning “strict,” is a very common adjective used to describe 纪律.
• Example 8:
• 他收到了一个纪律处分。
• Pinyin: Tā shōudào le yíge jìlǜ chǔfèn.
• English: He received a disciplinary action.
• Analysis: 纪律处分 (jìlǜ chǔfèn) is a set phrase for “disciplinary action” or “punishment.” Here, 纪律 acts as an adjective modifying 处分 (chǔfèn), punishment.
• Example 9:
• 作为一个运动员，饮食纪律非常重要。
• Pinyin: Zuòwéi yíge yùndòngyuán, yǐnshí jìlǜ fēicháng zhòngyào.
• English: As an athlete, dietary discipline is extremely important.
• Analysis: This shows how 纪律 can be applied to a specific area of life, in this case, 饮食 (yǐnshí) or diet.
• Example 10:
• 我们的教练总是强调团队纪律的重要性。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen de jiàoliàn zǒngshì qiángdiào tuánduì jìlǜ de zhòngyàoxìng.
• English: Our coach always emphasizes the importance of team discipline.
• Analysis: 强调 (qiángdiào) means “to emphasize.” This is a typical sentence structure for discussing the value of 纪律 in a team setting.

• “Discipline” as an Academic Field: A major pitfall for English speakers is to confuse 纪律 (jìlǜ) with “discipline” meaning an area of study. 纪律 is *only* about rules and order. For an academic field, you must use 学科 (xuékē).
• Incorrect: My favorite discipline is history. (我最喜欢的纪律是历史。) ←- WRONG
• Correct: My favorite discipline is history. (我最喜欢的学科是历史。 Wǒ zuì xǐhuān de xuékē shì lìshǐ.)
• `纪律` vs. `规定` vs. `规则`: These terms are related but not interchangeable.
• 纪律 (jìlǜ): The entire system or framework of rules. It's the “big picture” concept of order.
• 规定 (guīdìng): A specific regulation or stipulation, often handed down by an authority. (e.g., “The regulation says you must wear a helmet.” - 规定要戴头盔。)
• 规则 (guīzé): A rule, often for a game, system, or process. (e.g., “the rules of chess” - 象棋的规则).
• Mistake: You wouldn't say “The first 纪律 of the game is…” You would say “The first 规则…”. 纪律 refers to the players' overall orderly conduct, not one specific rule.

• 规定 (guīdìng) - A specific regulation or provision; more concrete than the overall system of `纪律`.
• 规则 (guīzé) - Rules, often for games, traffic, or logical systems.
• 自律 (zìlǜ) - Self-discipline. The internalization of `纪律`.
• 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. The official, legally binding rules of a country. `法律` is enforced by the state, while `纪律` is enforced by an organization (school, company).
• 秩序 (zhìxù) - Order, sequence. This is the desired state that is achieved by maintaining `纪律`.
• 严格 (yángé) - Strict, rigorous. A common adjective used to describe `纪律`.
• 服从 (fúcóng) - To obey, to submit to. The expected action one takes in response to `纪律`.
• 纪律处分 (jìlǜ chǔfèn) - Disciplinary action/punishment. The formal consequence of violating `纪律`.
• 违反 (wéifǎn) - To violate, to go against. The verb used for breaking a rule, law, or `纪律`.