wéifǎn: 违反 - To Violate, To Break (a rule), To Transgress

• Keywords: weifan, 违反, violate Chinese, break rules in Chinese, what does weifan mean, go against the law in Chinese, Chinese word for transgress, breach a contract in Chinese, violate regulations, HSK 5 vocabulary.
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 违反 (wéifǎn), a key Chinese verb for “to violate” or “to break a rule.” This comprehensive guide covers how to use `wéifǎn` in formal, legal, and business contexts, explaining its cultural significance related to social order. Understand the difference between `wéifǎn` and similar terms, and see practical examples of how to talk about violating laws, regulations, and contracts in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wéifǎn
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To go against or break an established rule, law, agreement, or principle.
• In a Nutshell: `违反` is a formal and serious word. Think of it less as “bending the rules” and more as “transgressing a formal boundary.” It implies a conscious act of going against an established system, whether it's the legal code, a company handbook, or the terms of a contract. The feeling is one of official non-compliance and carries a negative connotation of causing disruption or breaking order.

• 违 (wéi): This character means “to disobey” or “to go against.” The radical on the left, 辶 (chuò), is related to walking or movement. It visually suggests the idea of “walking away from” or deviating from a correct path or standard.
• 反 (fǎn): This character means “opposite,” “against,” or “to reverse.” It's a very direct and strong character for opposition.
• When combined, 违反 (wéifǎn) literally means “to go against and oppose.” This pairing creates a powerful and unambiguous term for the act of violating something established and official.

• In Chinese culture, which is deeply influenced by Confucian values, social harmony (和谐, héxié) and order are paramount. Society functions best when everyone understands their role and follows the established rules, from national laws to family expectations. Therefore, the act of 违反 (wéifǎn) is seen not just as an individual mistake but as a potential disruption to the collective good.
• Contrast with Western Culture: In some Western, particularly American, contexts, “rule-breaking” can sometimes be framed positively—as a sign of innovation, rebellion against injustice, or rugged individualism. The entrepreneur who “breaks the mold” or the maverick who “challenges the status quo” can be celebrated. In China, `违反` rarely carries this positive undertone. It is almost always viewed negatively, as a failure to comply and a threat to stability. Openly `违反`-ing a rule is more likely to cause a loss of “face” (面子, miànzi) than to be seen as a brave act.

`违反` is a formal word used in specific, serious contexts. You would not use it for minor or casual situations.

• Legal and Official Contexts: This is the most common use. It appears in news reports, legal documents, and official announcements.
  • e.g., `违反法律` (wéifǎn fǎlǜ) - to violate the law.
  • e.g., `违反交通规则` (wéifǎn jiāotōng guīzé) - to violate traffic regulations.
• Business and Organizational Settings: Used when referring to company policy, employment agreements, or contracts.
  • e.g., `违反公司规定` (wéifǎn gōngsī guīdìng) - to violate company policy.
  • e.g., `违反合同` (wéifǎn hétong) - to breach a contract.
• Abstract Principles and Ethics: It can be used for more abstract concepts like principles, morals, or even the “laws of nature.”
  • e.g., `违反了我的原则` (wéifǎn le wǒ de yuánzé) - It violated my principles.
  • e.g., `违反体育道德` (wéifǎn tǐyù dàodé) - to violate the spirit of sportsmanship.

• Example 1:
  • 他因为违反交通规则而被罚款了。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi wéifǎn jiāotōng guīzé ér bèi fákuǎn le.
  • English: He was fined for violating traffic rules.
  • Analysis: This is a classic, everyday example of `违反` in an official context. `交通规则` (traffic rules) are formal regulations.
• Example 2:
  • 任何违反法律的行为都会受到惩罚。
  • Pinyin: Rènhé wéifǎn fǎlǜ de xíngwéi dōu huì shòudào chéngfá.
  • English: Any act that violates the law will be punished.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the serious and legalistic tone of `违反`. It's often paired with `法律` (law).
• Example 3:
  • 这家公司因违反合同被起诉了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yīn wéifǎn hétong bèi qǐsù le.
  • English: This company was sued for breaching the contract.
  • Analysis: `违反合同` is the standard term for “breaching a contract,” highlighting its use in business and legal affairs.
• Example 4:
  • 作为一名医生，你不能违反职业道德。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi yī míng yīshēng, nǐ bùnéng wéifǎn zhíyè dàodé.
  • English: As a doctor, you cannot violate professional ethics.
  • Analysis: Here, `违反` is used for an abstract code of conduct, `职业道德` (professional ethics).
• Example 5:
  • 他的行为违反了我们团队的基本原则。
  • Pinyin: Tā de xíngwéi wéifǎn le wǒmen tuánduì de jīběn yuánzé.
  • English: His actions violated the basic principles of our team.
  • Analysis: This shows `违反` can apply to informal but important “rules” like team principles (`原则`).
• Example 6:
  • 学生如果违反校规，会受到警告。
  • Pinyin: Xuéshēng rúguǒ wéifǎn xiàoguī, huì shòudào jǐnggào.
  • English: Students will receive a warning if they violate school rules.
  • Analysis: `校规` (school rules) are another example of the formal regulations that `违反` applies to.
• Example 7:
  • 他们的决定违反了公平竞争的精神。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen de juédìng wéifǎn le gōngpíng jìngzhēng de jīngshén.
  • English: Their decision violated the spirit of fair competition.
  • Analysis: This is a more abstract usage, where what's being violated is a “spirit” or concept (`精神`).
• Example 8:
  • 你已经违反了我们的协议，我们不能再合作了。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ yǐjīng wéifǎn le wǒmen de xiéyì, wǒmen bùnéng zài hézuò le.
  • English: You have already violated our agreement, we can no longer cooperate.
  • Analysis: `协议` (agreement) is similar to a contract and is another common object for the verb `违反`.
• Example 9:
  • 这种做法严重违反了自然规律。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng zuòfǎ yánzhòng wéifǎn le zìrán guīlǜ.
  • English: This practice seriously violates the laws of nature.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the ultimate abstract use of `违反`, applying it to scientific or natural laws (`自然规律`).
• Example 10:
  • 向媒体泄露内部信息是违反公司规定的。
  • Pinyin: Xiàng méitǐ xièlòu nèibù xìnxī shì wéifǎn gōngsī guīdìng de.
  • English: Leaking internal information to the media is a violation of company regulations.
  • Analysis: `公司规定` (company regulations) is a very common phrase in the Chinese workplace. `违反` is the correct and formal verb to use here.

• Mistake 1: Using `违反` for informal situations.
  • Incorrect: 我的孩子违反了我的话，没有吃蔬菜。(Wǒ de háizi wéifǎn le wǒ de huà, méiyǒu chī shūcài.)
  • Reason: This is far too formal. `违反` implies breaking an official system or rule. For a child disobeying a parent, you would use a more casual word.
  • Correct: 我的孩子不听话，没有吃蔬菜。(Wǒ de háizi bù tīnghuà, méiyǒu chī shūcài.) - My child was disobedient…
• Mistake 2: Confusing `违反` (to violate) with `反对` (to oppose).
  • `违反` is an action of breaking a rule. `反对` (fǎnduì) is an opinion of being against something.
  • Example: 我反对这项新规定，但我不想违反它。(Wǒ fǎnduì zhè xiàng xīn guīdìng, dàn wǒ bùxiǎng wéifǎn tā.)
  • Translation: I oppose this new regulation, but I don't want to violate it.
  • You can hold an opinion (`反对`) without taking the action (`违反`).

• `遵守` (zūnshǒu) - To abide by, to comply with. This is the direct antonym of `违反`.
• `犯法` (fànfǎ) - To break the law, to commit a crime. This is more specific than `违反`; it refers only to violating laws (`法`), whereas `违反` can apply to rules, contracts, principles, etc.
• `违规` (wéiguī) - To violate a regulation. A very close synonym. `规` comes from `规定` (regulation), so it's often interchangeable with `违反规定`.
• `违背` (wéibèi) - To go against, to be contrary to. A synonym that is often used for more abstract concepts like one's conscience (`良心`), a promise (`诺言`), or a person's will (`意愿`).
• `规定` (guīdìng) - Noun: regulation, rule. This is the thing that is often violated.
• `法律` (fǎlǜ) - Noun: law. The most serious type of rule one can violate.
• `合同` (hétong) - Noun: contract. A common object for `违反` in a business context.
• `反对` (fǎnduì) - Verb: to oppose. A contrasting concept that refers to opinion, not action.