明知故犯 (míng zhī gù fàn) — to knowingly violate (a rule, law, or norm); deliberate wrongdoing despite full awareness
Definition
A four-character idiom meaning to break a rule on purpose when you know exactly what you're doing is wrong — the violation is conscious, not accidental.
idiom
to knowingly violate (a rule, law, or norm)deliberate wrongdoing despite full awareness
Examples
- ,明知故犯,。Tā míng míng zhī dào bù néng zài zhè lǐ tíng chē, què míng zhī gù fàn, jié guǒ bèi fá le kuǎn.He clearly knew he couldn't park here, but deliberately did it anyway, and ended up getting fined.
- ,明知故犯,。Gōng sī guī dìng jìn zhǐ xī yān, tā què míng zhī gù fàn, zài bàn gōng shì lǐ chōu le qǐ lái.The company forbids smoking, but he knowingly violated the rule and lit up in the office.
- ,明知故犯。Fǎ lǜ miàn qián rén rén píng děng, míng zhī gù fàn de rén bì xū chéng dān hòu guǒ.Everyone is equal before the law; those who knowingly break it must face the consequences.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.