Being law-abiding is the fundamental civic duty of following all established legal rules.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to the act of obeying laws and regulations.
- Commonly used to describe citizens, businesses, or specific behaviors.
- Implies a proactive attitude toward maintaining social order.
Overview
- 1概述：‘守法’是一个典型的动宾结构合成词，由‘守’（遵守、守护）和‘法’（法律、法度）组成。它不仅描述一种客观的法律状态，更强调一种主观的自觉行为。2) 用法模式：‘守法’常作为形容词修饰名词，如‘守法公民’；也可作为动词短语，如‘我们要自觉守法’。在现代汉语中，它经常与‘遵纪’连用，构成‘遵纪守法’。3) 常见语境：该词广泛应用于法律文书、政府公告、学校教育以及商务合规领域。在社会信用体系中，‘守法’是评价个人或企业信誉的核心指标。4) 近义词辨析：‘守法’强调的是‘不违反’（Negative duty），即行为在法律框架内；而‘合法’（Legal）更多指某种状态或程序符合法律规定。与‘遵从’相比，‘守法’的对象仅限于法律，而‘遵从’的对象可以是命令、建议或习俗。
Examples
他一直是一个守法的公民，从未有过违章记录。
everydayHe has always been a law-abiding citizen and has never had a traffic violation.
守法经营是企业长久发展的基石。
formalLaw-abiding operation is the cornerstone of a company's long-term development.
别担心，他很守法的，不会乱来。
informalDon't worry, he's very law-abiding; he won't do anything reckless.
法律意识的增强促使更多人选择守法的行为方式。
academicThe strengthening of legal awareness prompts more people to choose law-abiding behaviors.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
守法意识
Legal awareness
守法观念
Concept of law-abidingness
Often Confused With
'合法' (Legal) refers to the status of an action or object being permitted by law, whereas '守法' (Law-abiding) refers to the person's behavior of following the law.
'遵从' (Comply/Follow) is more general and can apply to advice, wishes, or orders, while '守法' is strictly about legal statutes.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '守法' is generally neutral to positive in register. It is frequently used in formal settings like legal education, corporate compliance documents, and news reporting. While it can be used in casual conversation, it often sounds slightly more serious than simply saying '听话' (obedient).
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using '守法' to describe an object (e.g., 'a law-abiding contract' is incorrect; it should be 'a legal contract' or '合法合同'). Remember that '守法' describes the actor, not the thing itself.
Tips
Use with 'Citizen' for common collocations
The most frequent pairing is '守法公民' (law-abiding citizen), used to praise someone's social conduct.
Don't confuse with 'Legitimate'
While '守法' is about following rules, '正当' or '合法' is used for 'legitimate' or 'rightful'.
The importance of Rule of Law
In modern Chinese discourse, '守法' is central to the 'Rule of Law' (依法治国) initiative.
Word Origin
'守' originally depicted a person guarding a building or territory. '法' originally represented a standard or level surface of water. Together, they mean maintaining one's actions within the standard of the law.
Cultural Context
In modern China, '守法' is one of the key components of being a 'civilized citizen' (文明市民) and is heavily emphasized in the national curriculum to promote social stability.
Memory Tip
Think of '守' (Shǒu) as 'to guard' and '法' (Fǎ) as 'the law'. To be '守法' is to guard the boundaries of the law in your own actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions‘守法’描述的是人的行为（law-abiding），强调主动遵守；‘合法’描述的是事物的性质或状态（legal），强调符合标准。
可以。虽然它常作形容词，但在‘公民应当守法’等句子中，它起到了动词短语的作用，意为‘遵守法律’。
在职场或商务语境中，‘守法’通常指‘合规经营’，即遵守劳动法、税法和行业监管条例。
它是一个成语，结合了‘遵守纪律’和‘遵守法律’两个意思，语意比单纯的‘守法’更广泛。
Test Yourself
每个公民都应该做一个___的好公民。
‘守法’作为形容词修饰‘公民’，符合语义。
企业在经营过程中：
按税法纳税是遵守法律的具体表现。
是 / 守法 / 义务 / 每个人的 / 法律
‘守法’在此作为主语，‘法律义务’作为宾语，句意最完整。
Score: /3
Summary
Being law-abiding is the fundamental civic duty of following all established legal rules.
- Refers to the act of obeying laws and regulations.
- Commonly used to describe citizens, businesses, or specific behaviors.
- Implies a proactive attitude toward maintaining social order.
Use with 'Citizen' for common collocations
The most frequent pairing is '守法公民' (law-abiding citizen), used to praise someone's social conduct.
Don't confuse with 'Legitimate'
While '守法' is about following rules, '正当' or '合法' is used for 'legitimate' or 'rightful'.
The importance of Rule of Law
In modern Chinese discourse, '守法' is central to the 'Rule of Law' (依法治国) initiative.
Examples
4 of 4他一直是一个守法的公民，从未有过违章记录。
He has always been a law-abiding citizen and has never had a traffic violation.
守法经营是企业长久发展的基石。
Law-abiding operation is the cornerstone of a company's long-term development.
别担心，他很守法的，不会乱来。
Don't worry, he's very law-abiding; he won't do anything reckless.
法律意识的增强促使更多人选择守法的行为方式。
The strengthening of legal awareness prompts more people to choose law-abiding behaviors.
Related Content
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More work words
充裕的
B2Abundant, ample, or sufficient in quantity.
事故
A2accident; mishap
依照
A2According to; in accordance with.
准确地
A2accurately, precisely
做到
A2to achieve; to accomplish
积极地
A2actively; enthusiastically
应变
B2Adaptive; capable of dealing with emergencies.
行政
A2Administration; the management of affairs.
过后
A2Afterwards; at a later or subsequent time.
赞同
A2To approve of, to endorse; to agree with or support.
