wong4 faat3王法
Jyutpingwong4 faat3
Yalewòhng faat
Definition
The law of the land; historically, the laws decreed by an emperor.
colloquialother
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in historical contexts or when describing someone acting with total disregard for authority. It carries a heavy, dramatic weight and is rarely used in modern legal discussions. It is most commonly encountered in the set phrase 目無王法, which describes someone behaving as if no laws exist to restrain them.
Examples
Doing it this way is simply disregarding the law.
When people in the past talked about the law of the land, they were actually referring to the emperor's decree.
Related words
Common phrases
to show total disregard for the law
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to modern legal systems or government statutes, as it specifically evokes the absolute power of an imperial ruler. Using it to describe a modern traffic violation or a minor rule breach will sound overly theatrical or sarcastic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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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.
