1. a rule made by a government that people must follow
由政府制定、人民必須遵守的規則
It is against the law to drive without a license.
無照駕駛是違法的。
The new law will take effect next month.
新法律將於下個月生效。
Law Meaning（定義、用法、例句與發音）
law
noun
快速理解
What does "Law" mean?What are 2-3 core uses of "Law"?
「law」主要指由權威制定、用以規範社會行為的規則體系，也指科學中恆常不變的原理。
- 1
法律體系
EN: the system of rules created and enforced by a country or community.
翻譯: 由國家或社群制定並強制執行的規則體系。
- 2
具體法規
EN: a specific rule within the legal system.
翻譯: 法律體系中的一項具體規定。
- 3
執法與司法
EN: the profession or system of law enforcement and the courts.
翻譯: 執法部門、法院系統或法律專業。
- 4
自然規律
EN: a statement of a scientific fact or principle that is always true.
翻譯: 描述一個總是成立的科學事實或原理的陳述。
小提醒：注意「law」作為不可數名詞（指整體法律體系）和可數名詞（指個別法律）的用法區別，例如「study law」與「pass a law」。
發音（How to Pronounce "Law" in English）
How to pronounce "Law" in English?"Law" US vs UK pronunciation
點擊下方的 US / UK 按鈕可播放發音。
Real-life Examples of "Law" from YouTube Videos
Steven Schwaitzberg: A universal translator for surgeons
TED
“--. everybody has a cell phone with a camera -- we could use this everywhere, whether it be health care, patient care, engineering, law, conferencing, translating videos.”
(1 out of 95)
Definitions（定義）
What are the definitions of "Law"?How does "Law" change by context?
2. the system of rules that a society or government develops
一個社會或政府發展出的規則體系
She decided to study law at university.
她決定在大學攻讀法律。
Everyone is equal under the law.
法律面前人人平等。
3. a statement in science that describes a natural process that always happens under certain conditions
科學中描述在特定條件下總是會發生的自然過程的陳述
Newton's law of universal gravitation explains the attraction between objects.
牛頓的萬有引力定律解釋了物體間的吸引力。
The law of supply and demand affects prices.
供需法則影響價格。
4. the profession of being a lawyer
律師的職業
He has been practicing law for over twenty years.
他執業律師已超過二十年。
She went into law after graduating.
她畢業後進入了法律界。
5. a general rule or principle that is considered to be right or good
被認為是正確或良好的普遍規則或原則
There is an unwritten law among friends to help each other.
朋友間有一條不成文的法則，就是要互相幫助。
He believes in the law of karma.
他相信因果法則。
Grammar & Patterns（句型）
What are common sentence patterns for "Law"?How to make natural sentences with "Law"?
| Pattern | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| the law | 法律（泛指） | The law must be applied equally to everyone. (法律必須平等地適用於每個人。) |
| a law | 一項法律 | Parliament passed a new law on data privacy. (議會通過了一項關於數據隱私的新法律。) |
| law + of + [subject] | ...的法則/定律 | Newton's law of universal gravitation is fundamental to physics. (牛頓的萬有引力定律是物理學的基礎。) |
| against the law | 違法 | It is against the law to drive without a license. (無照駕駛是違法的。) |
| under the law | 根據法律 | All citizens are equal under the law. (所有公民在法律面前一律平等。) |
| break the law | 違法 | He was arrested for breaking the law. (他因違法而被逮捕。) |
| study law | 學習法律 | She decided to study law at university. (她決定在大學攻讀法律。) |
| practice law | 執業（當律師） | He has been practicing law for over twenty years. (他執業當律師已超過二十年。) |
| law and order | 法律與秩序 | The government's primary duty is to maintain law and order. (政府的主要職責是維持法律與秩序。) |
用法說明
How is "Law" different from similar structures?What usage mistakes are common with "Law"?
law vs. the law
- "law" 作為不可數名詞時，泛指法律體系、法學或法律原則等抽象概念。
- "the law" 則特指具體的法律條文、法規，或指執法機關（如警察）。
- 在談論遵守或違反某項具體規定時，通常使用 "the law"。
- 在學術或專業領域討論法律整體時，常使用不可數的 "law"。
對比範例： EN: She is studying law at university. 翻譯: 她正在大學攻讀法律。
EN:He was arrested for breaking the law.
翻譯:他因違法而被逮捕。
EN:The new tax law comes into effect next month.
翻譯:新的稅法將於下個月生效。
EN:In the eyes of the law, everyone is equal.
翻譯:在法律面前，人人平等。
總結建議
一般來說，指具體法規或執法機關時用 the law，而泛指法律學科或整體概念時用不可數的 law。
易混淆對比
What is the difference between "Law" and similar words?How to choose "Law" vs alternatives?
law vs regulation
law 指由立法機關通過的正式法律，具有最高強制力；regulation 通常指行政機關根據法律授權制定的具體規則或細則。
law vs statute
law 是法律的統稱，包含各種形式；statute 特指由立法機關明文制定的成文法。
law vs rule
law 是國家強制執行的正式法律；rule 可以是法律規則、組織規定或一般準則，範圍更廣。
口語用法
How is "Law" used in spoken English?What is the spoken vs formal difference for "Law"?
引述
在對話中，人們有時會用「law」來引述或提及一個普遍的原則或規則，而非指具體的法條。 EN: That's just the law of the jungle, you know? 翻譯: 你知道的，這就是叢林法則。
EN:My dad always says, "The law is the law."
翻譯:我老爸總是說：「法律就是法律。」
語氣強調
在口語中，「law」可用來強調某件事是絕對、不可違背的，帶有誇張或幽默的語氣。 EN: In our house, mom's word is law. 翻譯: 在我們家，媽媽說的話就是聖旨。
EN:For him, the customer is always right—it's like an unbreakable law.
翻譯:對他來說，顧客永遠是對的——這就像一條不可打破的鐵律。
停頓填充
在思考或組織語句時，說話者可能會用「the law」或相關短語作為填充詞，以爭取時間。 EN: Well, you see... the law... uh... it's complicated in these cases. 翻譯: 嗯，你看...法律...呃...在這些情況下很複雜。
EN:It's against the... what's the word... the law of averages, I think.
翻譯:這違反了...那個詞怎麼說...我想是平均律。
正式寫作注意：以上口語用法通常帶有比喻或非正式色彩。在正式法律文件、學術論文或嚴謹報告中，應避免此類用法，並明確使用「law」指稱具體法律體系、法規或法律原則，以確保精確性。
常見短語
What common collocations use "Law"?What fixed phrases with "Law" should I remember?
break the law
verb + the law
違法，觸犯法律
enforce the law
verb + the law
執法，執行法律
law and order
law + and + noun
法律與秩序
pass a law
verb + a law
通過一項法律
by law
preposition + law
根據法律，依法
criminal law
adjective + law
刑法
above the law
preposition + the law
凌駕於法律之上，不受法律約束
take the law into one's own hands
verb phrase
動用私刑，不通過法律途徑自行處理
常見錯誤
What are common mistakes with "Law"?Which "Law" sentences look correct but are wrong?
×He studied the law of physics.
✓He studied the laws of physics.
When referring to scientific principles or general rules in nature, 'law' is usually plural ('laws') because there are multiple principles. Use singular 'law' when referring to a specific, single principle (e.g., 'the law of gravity').
×According to the law, you must drive on the right side.
✓According to the law, you must drive on the right.
In legal contexts, 'the law' refers to the entire body of rules or a specific statute, not a single rule. The phrase 'the law' is sufficient; adding 'side' is redundant and unnatural. Use 'the law' to mean the legal system or a specific statute.
×She is an expert in business law.
✓She is an expert in business law. / She is an expert in the law of business.
While 'business law' is the standard and more common compound noun, 'the law of business' is grammatically correct but less idiomatic. Learners often incorrectly use prepositions like 'about' or 'for' (e.g., 'law about business'). Stick to the compound noun form (e.g., 'criminal law', 'international law') for most fields.
×The new law will effect next month.
✓The new law will take effect next month.
'Law' itself does not 'effect' something. The correct phrase is 'take effect' or 'come into effect,' meaning to become active or operative. 'Effect' as a verb means to cause something to happen, which is not the correct usage here.
×He broke a law.
✓He broke the law.
The fixed phrase is 'break the law,' using the definite article 'the,' which refers to the legal system as a whole. Using the indefinite article 'a' sounds unnatural because it implies breaking one specific, unidentified law among many, which is not the usual way to express this general concept.
×We must follow the natural law.
✓We must follow natural law.
'Natural law' is a philosophical concept referring to universal moral principles, and it is typically used without an article. Using the definite article 'the' incorrectly specifies it, making it sound like a particular set of written rules rather than the abstract concept.
詞形變化
What are the word forms of "Law"?What are tense/participle forms of "Law"?