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| 违章 [2025/08/12 20:54] – created xiaoer | 违章 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== wéizhāng: 违章 - To Violate Regulations, Illegal (e.g., parking) ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** 违章, weizhang, what does weizhang mean, Chinese for illegal parking, breaking the rules in Chinese, traffic violation Chinese, 违章建筑, 违章停车, Chinese regulations, infraction vs crime in Chinese. | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese term **违章 (wéizhāng)**, which means "to violate regulations" or "to break the rules." It's most commonly used for everyday infractions like illegal parking (`违章停车`), running a red light, or unauthorized construction (`违章建筑`). This page breaks down the characters, explains its cultural significance in modern China, and provides numerous examples to help you understand the crucial difference between a minor violation (`违章`) and a serious crime (`犯法`). | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wéi zhāng | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Verb, Adjective | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** To go against or break established rules, articles, or regulations. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **违章 (wéizhāng)** is the word for breaking a rule that isn't a serious criminal law. Think of it as an "infraction" or "violation." It's the perfect term for getting a parking ticket, jaywalking, or breaking a specific company policy. It carries the feeling of an administrative offense that usually results in a warning or a fine, rather than a moral failing or a major crime. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **违 (wéi):** This character means "to disobey," "to violate," or "to go against." It's composed of the 辶 (chuò) radical, which signifies movement or walking, and 韦 (wéi), which provides the sound. You can think of it as "moving against" an order or rule. | |
| * **章 (zhāng):** This character means "chapter," "section," or, in this context, "regulation" or "rule." It can also refer to a seal or stamp, which historically was a symbol of official authority and the rules that came with it. | |
| When combined, **违章 (wéizhāng)** literally means "to violate the regulations"—a straightforward and logical combination. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| The concept of **违章 (wéizhāng)** is a cornerstone of daily life and social order in China. In a society that highly values order (`秩序 zhìxù`) and adherence to collective rules, defining and policing minor infractions is crucial for maintaining public harmony. | |
| Compared to the general English word "illegal," **违章** is far more specific. While a Westerner might say "illegal parking" and "illegal drug trafficking" using the same word ("illegal"), Chinese makes a clear distinction. **违章** is for the former, while a much more serious word like `犯法 (fànfǎ)` (to commit a crime) would be used for the latter. | |
| This distinction is important. An act of **违章** doesn't typically brand someone as a "bad person" or a criminal. It's seen as a lapse in judgment or a disregard for administrative rules, often committed out of convenience. A very common example is **违章建筑 (wéizhāng jiànzhù)**—illegal structures like extra rooms or balconies added to buildings without permission. This is a widespread phenomenon in dense Chinese cities, highlighting the constant tension between official regulations and the practical needs or desires of individuals. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| **违章** is a high-frequency word you'll encounter constantly, especially in urban environments. | |
| * **Traffic Violations (Most Common):** This is the primary context for the word. | |
| * `交通违章 (jiāotōng wéizhāng)` - traffic violation | |
| * `违章停车 (wéizhāng tíngchē)` - illegal parking | |
| * `违章驾驶 (wéizhāng jiàshǐ)` - illegal/unsafe driving (e.g., speeding, running a red light) | |
| * **Rule-Breaking in Organizations:** It can be used for breaking rules in a company, factory, or school. | |
| * `违章操作 (wéizhāng cāozuò)` - to violate operating procedures (e.g., using machinery unsafely) | |
| * The school might announce: `禁止任何违章行为 (jìnzhǐ rènhé wéizhāng xíngwéi)` - "All rule-breaking behaviors are forbidden." | |
| * **As an Adjective:** It can directly modify a noun. | |
| * `违章车辆 (wéizhāng chēliàng)` - an illegally parked vehicle | |
| * `违章建筑 (wéizhāng jiànzhù)` - an illegal structure or building | |
| The connotation is consistently negative but low in severity. It's a formal-sounding word used in everyday situations, often seen on official notices, traffic signs, and fine receipts. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 你这样停车是**违章**的，会被贴罚单。 | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ zhèyàng tíngchē shì **wéizhāng** de, huì bèi tiē fádān. | |
| * English: Parking like this is a violation; you'll get a ticket. | |
| * Analysis: A classic, everyday use of **违章**. The consequence mentioned, `贴罚单 (tiē fádān)` (to get a ticket put on your car), is the typical result of a traffic violation. | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 他因为多次**违章**驾驶，驾照被吊销了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi duōcì **wéizhāng** jiàshǐ, jiàzhào bèi diàoxiāo le. | |
| * English: His driver's license was revoked because of multiple driving violations. | |
| * Analysis: This shows that repeated **违章** can lead to more serious consequences than just a fine. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 这个城市正在集中清理**违章**建筑。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège chéngshì zhèngzài jízhōng qīnglǐ **wéizhāng** jiànzhù. | |
| * English: This city is currently conducting a focused clean-up of illegal structures. | |
| * Analysis: Demonstrates the use of **违章** outside of traffic, in the context of urban planning and regulation. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 警察告诉我，我刚刚闯红灯是**违章**行为。 | |
| * Pinyin: Jǐngchá gàosù wǒ, wǒ gānggāng chuǎng hóngdēng shì **wéizhāng** xíngwéi. | |
| * English: The police officer told me that running the red light just now was an illegal act. | |
| * Analysis: Here, **违章** is used as an adjective modifying `行为 (xíngwéi)`, meaning "act" or "behavior." | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 工厂规定，任何**违章**操作都可能导致解雇。 | |
| * Pinyin: Gōngchǎng guīdìng, rènhé **wéizhāng** cāozuò dōu kěnéng dǎozhì jiěgù. | |
| * English: The factory regulations state that any violation of operating procedures could lead to dismissal. | |
| * Analysis: This example shows the term's use in a workplace or industrial safety context. | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 我的车被拖走了，因为我**违章**停车了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ de chē bèi tuō zǒu le, yīnwèi wǒ **wéizhāng** tíngchē le. | |
| * English: My car was towed because I parked illegally. | |
| * Analysis: A very common complaint you might hear or say. Notice how `违章` is part of the verb phrase `违章停车`. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 很多**违章**都是被摄像头拍下来的。 | |
| * Pinyin: Hěnduō **wéizhāng** dōu shì bèi shèxiàngtóu pāi xiàlái de. | |
| * English: A lot of violations are caught on camera. | |
| * Analysis: **违章** can also be used as a noun to refer to "an act of violation" or "an infraction" itself. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 在人行道上骑自行车算**违章**吗？ | |
| * Pinyin: Zài rénxíngdào shàng qí zìxíngchē suàn **wéizhāng** ma? | |
| * English: Does riding a bike on the sidewalk count as a violation? | |
| * Analysis: A practical question showing how to ask if a certain action constitutes a **违章**. | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 这张罚单是上周的一个**违章**记录。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè zhāng fádān shì shàng zhōu de yí ge **wéizhāng** jìlù. | |
| * English: This fine is the record of a violation from last week. | |
| * Analysis: Again, **违章** is used here as a noun, part of the phrase `违章记录` (violation record). | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 为了图方便而**违章**，结果因小失大，太不值了。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wèile tú fāngbiàn ér **wéizhāng**, jiéguǒ yīn xiǎo shī dà, tài bù zhí le. | |
| * English: Breaking the rules for convenience resulted in losing more than you gained; it's just not worth it. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence contains a moral and uses the common pattern `为了...而...` (in order to... thereby...). It reflects the common attitude towards **违章**. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| The most critical mistake for an English speaker is confusing **违章 (wéizhāng)** with being a criminal. | |
| * **`违章 (wéizhāng)` vs. `犯法 (fànfǎ)`:** This is the key distinction. | |
| * **违章 (wéizhāng):** To violate a regulation. The consequence is usually a fine or administrative penalty (e.g., points on a license). **Example:** Illegal parking. | |
| * **犯法 (fànfǎ):** To break the law (a criminal law). The consequence can be arrest and imprisonment. **Example:** Robbery, assault, theft. | |
| * **Incorrect Usage:** You would **never** say: `他杀人了，这真是严重的违章。` (Tā shā rén le, zhè zhēnshi yánzhòng de wéizhāng.) -> //"He murdered someone, this is a really serious violation."// | |
| * **Correct Usage:** You must say: `他杀人了，这是在犯法。` (Tā shā rén le, zhè shì zài fànfǎ.) -> //"He murdered someone, this is breaking the law."// | |
| Think of **违章** as breaking the "rules of the game" of daily civic life, while `犯法` is breaking the fundamental laws of society. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[犯法]] (fànfǎ) - To commit a crime. The more serious counterpart to `违章`. | |
| * [[违法]] (wéifǎ) - To break the law. A broader, more formal term that can encompass both minor infractions (`违章`) and serious crimes (`犯法`). | |
| * [[规定]] (guīdìng) - A regulation, a rule. This is the official rule that one breaks when they `违章`. | |
| * [[罚款]] (fákuǎn) - A fine, a monetary penalty. The most common consequence for a `违章` act. | |
| * [[违规]] (wéiguī) - To violate rules. A very close synonym of `违章`. `违规` is often preferred for non-traffic contexts, like breaking rules in a competition (`比赛违规`) or a company (`操作违规`). | |
| * [[规则]] (guīzé) - Rules, regulations. Often used for games, sports, and general principles. | |
| * [[交通]] (jiāotōng) - Traffic, transportation. The most common domain where `违章` occurs. | |
| * [[驾照]] (jiàzhào) - Driver's license. Something that can be affected by too many `违章` acts. | |
| * [[章程]] (zhāngchéng) - Written rules, articles of association (e.g., of a company). The `章` in `违章` is related to this formal concept of written rules. | |