gwok3 faat3國法国法
Jyutpinggwok3 faat3
Yalegwok faat
Definition
National law; the laws enforced within a country.
neutralother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the legal system of a nation, often carrying a heavy, formal, or even moralistic tone. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless someone is emphasizing the severity of a crime or a serious breach of rules. The expression 國法難容 is the most common way to encounter this word, used to condemn actions that are seen as unforgivable by society and the state.
Examples
He did such things, it is truly intolerable under the law.
Do you know that doing this will violate national law?
Related words
Common phrases
intolerable by national law
Common mistake
Avoid using this to refer to company policies or house rules, as it is strictly reserved for state-level legal authority. Using it for minor infractions sounds overly dramatic and unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
