wéizhāng: 违章 - To Violate Regulations, Illegal (e.g., parking)

• 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`).

• 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.

• 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.

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.

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 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.

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.

• 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.