fànfǎ: 犯法 - To Break the Law, To Commit a Crime

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese term 犯法 (fànfǎ), which means “to break the law” or “to commit a crime.” This page provides a comprehensive guide for English speakers, breaking down the characters 犯 (to violate) and 法 (law), explaining its cultural significance in modern China, and offering numerous practical example sentences. Discover the crucial differences between 犯法 (fànfǎ), 违法 (wéifǎ), and the more serious 犯罪 (fànzuì) to use Chinese legal terms accurately.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fànfǎ
• Part of Speech: Verb-object compound (functions as a verb)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To violate or break the law.
• In a Nutshell: 犯法 (fànfǎ) is the most common and direct way to say that someone's action is illegal. It's a straightforward term that covers the entire spectrum of law-breaking, from minor offenses to serious felonies. It focuses on the specific *act* of crossing a legal boundary. If an action is against the established legal code (法), then doing that action is 犯法.

• 犯 (fàn): This character means “to violate,” “to offend,” or “to attack.” The radical on the left, `犭` (quǎn), is the “animal” radical, often associated with dogs or beasts. This can give the impression of an unruly, untamed, or aggressive action that goes against established order.
• 法 (fǎ): This character means “law,” “rule,” or “method.” The radical on the left, `氵` (shuǐ), means “water.” Anciently, water symbolized fairness and levelness, as its surface is always flat. The right side, `去` (qù), means “to go.” Together, they suggest the established, fair standard that society “goes by.”
• How they combine: The two characters form a very logical word: “to violate the law.” It's a clear and powerful combination that leaves no room for ambiguity.

• While 犯法 (fànfǎ) is a modern legal term, the concept of law has deep roots in China. It brings to mind the tension between two ancient philosophies: Confucianism (儒家) and Legalism (法家). Legalism advocated for strict, impersonal laws as the primary tool for social order, whereas Confucianism emphasized moral conduct (`礼 lǐ`), ethics, and social relationships.
• In modern China, the formal legal system is supreme. However, the cultural weight of 犯法 extends beyond just legal punishment. In a collectivist culture, breaking the law brings great shame not only to the individual but also to their entire family. It causes a severe loss of “face” or social standing (`面子 miànzi`).
• Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, “breaking the law” is primarily an individual transgression against the state. While it can bring shame, the focus is on personal responsibility and legal consequence. In China, the ripple effect on family honor and social networks is often more pronounced. The act of 犯法 can damage a family's reputation and social connections (`关系 guānxi`) for years, making the social punishment as significant as the legal one.

• 犯法 (fànfǎ) is a standard and widely understood term. You will hear it in the news, see it in legal documents, and use it in everyday conversations when discussing illegal activities.
• Formality and Connotation: It carries a serious and negative connotation. It is not a word used lightly. While it can describe any illegal act, it's generally reserved for actions with clear legal consequences.
• For very minor infractions, like breaking a building's rule against smoking, a person is more likely to use 违规 (wéiguī), which means “to violate regulations.” Using 犯法 for something so minor might sound overly dramatic. However, for anything that could involve the police, from shoplifting to assault, 犯法 is the appropriate term.

• Example 1:
  • 偷东西是犯法的。
  • Pinyin: Tōu dōngxi shì fànfǎ de.
  • English: Stealing things is illegal.
  • Analysis: A simple, declarative sentence stating a fact. The structure `(action) 是 fànfǎ 的` is a very common way to say “is illegal.”
• Example 2:
  • 你不能那么做，这是犯法行为！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bùnéng nàme zuò, zhè shì fànfǎ xíngwéi!
  • English: You can't do that, this is an illegal act!
  • Analysis: This is a strong warning. `行为 (xíngwéi)` means “act” or “behavior,” so `犯法行为` translates directly to “illegal act.”
• Example 3:
  • 他因为犯法被警察抓走了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi fànfǎ bèi jǐngchá zhuā zǒu le.
  • English: He was taken away by the police because he broke the law.
  • Analysis: This example uses the `因为…` (because…) structure to show the reason for an action. It demonstrates a direct consequence of `犯法`.
• Example 4:
  • 酒后驾车在每个国家都是犯法的。
  • Pinyin: Jiǔhòu jiàchē zài měi ge guójiā dōu shì fànfǎ de.
  • English: Drunk driving is illegal in every country.
  • Analysis: Shows how `犯法` is used to discuss specific types of illegal activities. `酒后驾车 (jiǔhòu jiàchē)` is the set phrase for “drunk driving.”
• Example 5:
  • 我知道这样做是犯法的，所以我绝对不会做。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zhīdào zhèyàng zuò shì fànfǎ de, suǒyǐ wǒ juéduì bù huì zuò.
  • English: I know doing this is illegal, so I absolutely will not do it.
  • Analysis: This sentence expresses awareness and a conscious decision to abide by the law.
• Example 6:
  • 难道你不知道无知不能作为犯法的借口吗？
  • Pinyin: Nándào nǐ bù zhīdào wúzhī bùnéng zuòwéi fànfǎ de jièkǒu ma?
  • English: Don't you know that ignorance can't be used as an excuse for breaking the law?
  • Analysis: A rhetorical question (`难道…吗?`) that highlights a common legal principle. `作为 (zuòwéi)` means “to act as” or “as,” and `借口 (jièkǒu)` means “excuse.”
• Example 7:
  • 这家公司被指控犯了多项法律。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī bèi zhǐkòng fàn le duō xiàng fǎlǜ.
  • English: This company was accused of breaking multiple laws.
  • Analysis: Here, the verb-object structure of `犯法` is split. `犯 (fàn)` acts as the verb, and `法律 (fǎlǜ)` (law) is the object. This is a more formal or written construction often seen in news reports.
• Example 8:
  • 作为一个好公民，我们不应该犯法。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yīge hǎo gōngmín, wǒmen bù yīnggāi fànfǎ.
  • English: As good citizens, we should not break the law.
  • Analysis: Connects the concept of `犯法` to civic duty and social responsibility. `公民 (gōngmín)` means “citizen.”
• Example 9:
  • 他只是个孩子，但他已经明白什么是对的，什么是犯法的。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhǐshì ge háizi, dàn tā yǐjīng míngbái shénme shì duì de, shénme shì fànfǎ de.
  • English: He's just a child, but he already understands what is right and what is illegal.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts `犯法` (illegal/wrong in a legal sense) with `对` (right/correct in a moral sense).
• Example 10:
  • A: 他为什么被解雇了？ (Tā wèishéme bèi jiěgù le?) - Why was he fired?
  • B: 因为他做了一些犯法的事情来伤害公司。 (Yīnwèi tā zuòle yīxiē fànfǎ de shìqing lái shānghài gōngsī.) - Because he did some illegal things to harm the company.
  • Analysis: A practical dialogue showing how `犯法` is used to explain the reason behind a negative consequence.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 犯法 (fànfǎ), 违法 (wéifǎ), and 犯罪 (fànzuì).

• 犯法 (fànfǎ) vs. 违法 (wéifǎ):
  • These two terms are very close in meaning and often used interchangeably. Both mean “to break/violate the law.”
  • 犯法 (fànfǎ) is perhaps slightly more common in spoken language and emphasizes the *act* of breaking the law.
  • 违法 (wéifǎ) can feel a bit more formal or “written.” A key difference is that `违法` can also function as an adjective meaning “illegal” (e.g., `违法行为` - illegal act), whereas `犯法` cannot be used this way on its own.
  • For a beginner, you can treat them as near-synonyms. Using one where the other fits will almost always be understood.
• 犯法 (fànfǎ) vs. 犯罪 (fànzuì):
  • This is a crucial distinction.
  • 犯法 (fànfǎ): To break the law (general).
  • 犯罪 (fànzuì): To commit a crime (specifically a criminal offense). The character `罪 (zuì)` means “crime” or “sin” and carries heavy moral and legal weight.
  • Rule of thumb: All `犯罪` is `犯法`, but not all `犯法` is serious enough to be called `犯罪`. A parking violation is `犯法`, but you would not call it `犯罪`. Murder is both `犯法` and `犯罪`. Think of `犯罪` as referring to indictable offenses on the criminal code.
  • Incorrect Usage: Saying `他因为超速而犯罪了` (Tā yīnwèi chāosù ér fànzuì le - “He committed a crime because he was speeding”). This is wrong. You should say `他因为超速而犯法了` (or `违法了`).

• 违法 (wéifǎ) - A very close synonym for `犯法`; “to violate the law.” Often used in more formal or written contexts.
• 犯罪 (fànzuì) - A more serious term meaning “to commit a crime.” Refers specifically to criminal offenses.
• 守法 (shǒufǎ) - The direct antonym of `犯法`; “to abide by the law,” “to be law-abiding.”
• 法律 (fǎlǜ) - The law; the legal code itself. `法` is the law that one `犯` (violates).
• 罪犯 (zuìfàn) - A criminal; a convict. The person who commits `犯罪`.
• 嫌疑人 (xiányírén) - A criminal suspect; someone suspected of `犯法`.
• 警察 (jǐngchá) - Police; the officers who enforce the law and arrest those who `犯法`.
• 违规 (wéiguī) - To violate regulations. This is less severe than `犯法` and refers to breaking rules, not necessarily laws (e.g., breaking a company policy).
• 法官 (fǎguān) - A judge; the legal official who presides over cases involving people who `犯法`.
• 坐牢 (zuòláo) - To be in prison; a common consequence for serious acts of `犯法`.