fǎrén: 法人 - Legal Person, Juridical Person, Corporation

• Keywords: farén, 法人, legal person in Chinese, Chinese for corporation, juridical person, faren pinyin, what does 法人 mean, Chinese business terms, 法人代表, company law China, business license.
• Summary: In Chinese, 法人 (fǎrén) refers to a “legal person” or “juridical person”—an entity like a company or organization that is recognized by law as having its own rights and responsibilities, separate from the individuals who own or run it. Understanding the concept of 法人 (fǎrén) is absolutely essential for anyone involved in business, contracts, or legal matters in China, as it defines who is ultimately responsible for a company's actions and debts. This page breaks down its meaning, its critical distinction from the “legal representative” (法人代表, fǎrén dàibiǎo), and how it's used in real-world legal and business documents.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fǎrén
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (This is a specialized legal and business term, crucial for advanced/business Chinese but not on the standard HSK 1-6 lists.)
• Concise Definition: A legal entity, such as a company or organization, that is recognized by law as having rights and responsibilities.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a company can sign a contract, own property, and be sued in court, all under its own name. In legal terms, that company is a 法人 (fǎrén). The word literally means “law person,” and it’s the official, legal identity of an organization. It's not a specific human being, but rather the abstract entity itself, which the law treats *like* a person.

• 法 (fǎ): This character means law, method, or rule. It's composed of the “water” radical (氵) on the left and 去 (qù - to go) on the right. One way to remember it is that law, like water, should be applied evenly and flow fairly, or that it provides a standard way “to go” about things in society.
• 人 (rén): This character means person or human. It's one of the simplest and most fundamental characters, a pictograph of a person walking.
• The two characters combine literally and logically to mean “law person”—an entity that exists as a “person” in the eyes of the law.

The term 法人 (fǎrén) isn't an ancient Chinese philosophical concept; it's a modern legal term adopted from Western civil law systems (primarily German law, by way of Japan). Its significance lies in its central role in China's modern economy and legal framework. The most critical cultural and practical point for a foreigner to understand is the distinction between 法人 (fǎrén) and a related but different concept: 法人代表 (fǎrén dàibiǎo), the “Legal Representative”.

• 法人 (fǎrén) - The “Legal Person” (The Entity): This is the company itself. For example, “Tencent Holdings Ltd.” is a `法人`. It's an abstract concept.
• 法人代表 (fǎrén dàibiǎo) - The “Legal Representative” (The Human): This is the single, specific individual who is legally authorized to act on behalf of the company. Their name is on the official business license, and their signature (or personal seal) can bind the company to contracts, loans, and other legal obligations.

In the West, multiple executives (CEO, CFO, etc.) might have the authority to sign contracts. In China, the 法人代表 holds a unique and powerful position. For anyone doing business in China, identifying and verifying the `法人代表` is a non-negotiable step of due diligence. Mistaking an employee or even the CEO for the `法人代表` can lead to invalid contracts and serious business disputes.

You will almost exclusively encounter 法人 (fǎrén) in formal, written, or official contexts. It is not a word used in casual conversation.

• Business and Legal Documents: The term is standard on contracts (`合同`), business licenses (`营业执照`), articles of incorporation, and court filings. For example, a contract will list the names of the `法人` entities involved.
• Formal Discussions: When lawyers, accountants, or business owners discuss company structure, liability, or official registration, they will use `法人`.
• Distinguishing Liability: The concept is crucial for defining liability. If a company defaults on a loan, creditors pursue the `法人` (the company's assets), not necessarily the personal assets of the shareholders or employees (though the `法人代表` can bear personal liability in cases of wrongdoing).

In everyday chat, you would use 公司 (gōngsī) to say “company”.

• Correct: 我的公司在上海。 (Wǒ de gōngsī zài Shànghǎi.) - My company is in Shanghai.
• Incorrect: 我的法人在上海。 (Wǒ de fǎrén zài Shànghǎi.) - This sounds very strange, like “My legal entity is in Shanghai.”

• Example 1:
  • 有限责任公司是一种常见的法人。
  • Pinyin: Yǒuxiàn zérèn gōngsī shì yī zhǒng chángjiàn de fǎrén.
  • English: A limited liability company (LLC) is a common type of legal person.
  • Analysis: This sentence provides a direct definition, classifying a common business structure (LLC) as a `法人`.
• Example 2:
  • 这份合同需要法人盖章才能生效。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn hétong xūyào fǎrén gàizhāng cáinéng shēngxiào.
  • English: This contract needs the legal person's official seal to become effective.
  • Analysis: In China, the company seal/chop (`公章 gōngzhāng`) is often more important than a signature. This seal represents the `法人` itself.
• Example 3:
  • 谁是这家公司的法人代表？
  • Pinyin: Shéi shì zhè jiā gōngsī de fǎrén dàibiǎo?
  • English: Who is this company's legal representative?
  • Analysis: A crucial question in any business dealing. Notice the full term `法人代表` is used to ask about the specific individual.
• Example 4:
  • 根据法律，法人必须承担其债务。
  • Pinyin: Gēnjù fǎlǜ, fǎrén bìxū chéngdān qí zhàiwù.
  • English: According to the law, the legal person must bear its debts.
  • Analysis: This highlights the core concept of legal liability being attached to the entity (`法人`), not the individuals behind it.
• Example 5:
  • 我们的起诉对象是那个法人，而不是它的员工。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de qǐsù duìxiàng shì nàge fǎrén, ér búshì tā de yuángōng.
  • English: The target of our lawsuit is that legal person, not its employees.
  • Analysis: This clearly illustrates the legal separation between the company (the `法人`) and the people who work for it.
• Example 6:
  • 学校和医院等非营利组织也可以是法人。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxiào hé yīyuàn děng fēi yínglì zǔzhī yě kěyǐ shì fǎrén.
  • English: Non-profit organizations like schools and hospitals can also be legal persons.
  • Analysis: This expands the scope of `法人` beyond just for-profit companies.
• Example 7:
  • 成立一个新公司，首先要确定其法人地位。
  • Pinyin: Chénglì yīgè xīn gōngsī, shǒuxiān yào quèdìng qí fǎrén dìwèi.
  • English: To establish a new company, you must first determine its legal person status.
  • Analysis: This shows the term's use in the context of company formation and registration. `法人地位` (fǎrén dìwèi) means “legal person status”.
• Example 8:
  • 营业执照上会写明法人的全称和注册地址。
  • Pinyin: Yíngyè zhízhào shàng huì xiěmíng fǎrén de quánchēng hé zhùcè dìzhǐ.
  • English: The business license will state the legal person's full name and registered address.
  • Analysis: A very practical sentence explaining what you'd find on an official document.
• Example 9:
  • 他虽然是公司的创始人，但他不是法人代表。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán shì gōngsī de chuàngshǐrén, dàn tā búshì fǎrén dàibiǎo.
  • English: Although he is the company's founder, he is not the legal representative.
  • Analysis: Another example that expertly distinguishes between roles within a company, reinforcing the specific meaning of `法人代表`.
• Example 10:
  • 法人和自然人享有不同的法律权利。
  • Pinyin: Fǎrén hé zìránrén xiǎngyǒu bùtóng de fǎlǜ quánlì.
  • English: Legal persons and natural persons enjoy different legal rights.
  • Analysis: This sentence introduces the direct counterpart to `法人`: `自然人` (zìránrén), or “natural person” (a human being).

• The #1 Mistake: Confusing 法人 (fǎrén) and 法人代表 (fǎrén dàibiǎo)
  • This is the most critical pitfall. `法人` is the company/entity. `法人代表` is the one human designated to legally represent it.
  • Incorrect: 我想跟你们公司的法人谈谈。(Wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐmen gōngsī de fǎrén tán tan.) - “I want to talk to your company's legal person.”
  • Why it's wrong: You cannot talk to an abstract legal entity. You talk to a person.
  • Correct: 我想跟你们公司的法人代表谈谈。(Wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐmen gōngsī de fǎrén dàibiǎo tán tan.) - “I want to talk to your company's legal representative.” OR, more casually: 我想跟你们老板谈谈 (Wǒ xiǎng gēn nǐmen lǎobǎn tán tan) - “I want to talk to your boss.”
• Treating “法人” like a Human
  • A `法人` cannot have feelings, opinions, or a personality. It is a legal construct.
  • Incorrect: 这个法人很可靠。(Zhège fǎrén hěn kěkào.) - “This legal person is very reliable.”
  • Why it's wrong: You are commenting on the company's reputation, not the entity itself as if it were a person.
  • Correct: 这家公司很可靠。(Zhè jiā gōngsī hěn kěkào.) - “This company is very reliable.”

• 法人代表 (fǎrén dàibiǎo) - The single individual designated as the Legal Representative of the `法人`. This is the most important related term.
• 公司 (gōngsī) - Company; corporation. The common, everyday word for a business. A `公司` is usually a `法人`.
• 企业 (qǐyè) - Enterprise; business. A broader term that can include `公司` as well as other business forms.
• 自然人 (zìránrén) - Natural person. The legal term for an individual human being, the direct counterpart to `法人`.
• 营业执照 (yíngyè zhízhào) - Business License. The official government-issued document that proves a company's status as a `法人` and names its `法人代表`.
• 法律责任 (fǎlǜ zérèn) - Legal responsibility; liability. The duties and obligations that a `法人` must bear.
• 股东 (gǔdōng) - Shareholder; stockholder. The owners of the `法人`.
• 合同 (hétong) - Contract. A legal agreement made by one or more `法人` or `自然人`.
• 公章 (gōngzhāng) - Official Seal/Chop. The stamp that represents the `法人` and is used to execute documents. Its impression is often legally binding.