faat3 lei5法理
Jyutpingfaat3 lei5
Yalefaat léih
Definition
Legal principles or reasoning.
neutralwork
How it's used
Used primarily in formal, academic, or legal contexts to discuss the underlying logic or theory of a law. It is rarely heard in casual daily chatter, as it implies a level of professional or intellectual discourse. When discussing the actual text of a law, use 法律 instead.
Examples
The legal basis for this case is very weak.
How do you explain this matter using legal principles?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 道理, which refers to general logic or common sense. 法理 is strictly confined to the domain of law and jurisprudence, whereas 道理 is used for everyday arguments or moral reasoning.
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.
