faat3 ling6法令
Jyutpingfaat3 ling6
Yalefaat lihng
Definition
An order issued by an executive, legislative, or judicial authority that carries legal consequences.
writtenother
How it's used
This term is primarily found in formal legal contexts or news reports regarding mainland China or international affairs. It sounds stiff and academic to a native speaker, as Hong Kongers typically use terms like 條例 for ordinances or 命令 for general orders. Using it in casual conversation will make you sound like you are reading from a historical drama or a government gazette.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
The government just issued a new executive order.
Does this order take effect immediately?
Related words
Common phrases
to issue an executive order
to abolish an order
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a general word for any rule or regulation, but it specifically implies a high level of authority and legal enforcement. For everyday rules or company policies, use 規矩 or 規定 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
