man4 si6民事

Jyutpingman4 si6

Yalemàhn sih

名詞Uncommon

Definition

Civil; relating to legal disputes between private parties that do not involve criminal law.

neutralother

How it's used

Distinguishing between civil and criminal matters is fundamental in Hong Kong legal discourse. While criminal cases involve the government prosecuting an individual for breaking the law, civil cases are primarily about private parties resolving disputes over money, property, or contracts. It is common to hear people use this term to clarify that a situation is not a police matter.

Examples

le1呢daan1單je5嘢zi2只hai6係man4民si6事gau2糾fan1紛，m4唔sai2使co5坐gaam1監㗎。

This matter is just a civil dispute, you don't need to go to jail.

nei5你daa2打syun3算gou3告keoi5佢man4民si6事ding6定hai6係jing4刑si6事aa4呀？

Are you planning to sue him in a civil or criminal court?

Common phrases

man4民si6事sou3訴zung6訟

civil litigation

man4民si6事gau2糾fan1紛

civil dispute

Common mistake

Learners often confuse civil disputes with criminal ones. Remember that if a situation is strictly civil, the police generally cannot intervene or arrest anyone, as it is a matter for the courts to decide between the two parties involved.