法理 (fǎ lǐ) — legal principle; legal theory; (Buddhism) Buddh…

Definition

法理 means 'legal theory / jurisprudence' — the principles underlying law — distinct from 法律 (specific laws or the legal code).

noun

legal principlelegal theory(Buddhism) Buddhist doctrines

法理。
Fǎ guān gēn jù fǎ lǐ zuò chū le gōng zhèng de pàn jué.
The judge reached a fair verdict based on legal principles.
法理。
Tā duì fó jiào fǎ lǐ yǒu hěn shēn rù de yán jiū.
He has conducted in-depth research on Buddhist doctrines.
法理。
Xué xí fǎ lǐ xū yào zhā shi de fǎ lǜ jī chǔ.
Studying legal theory requires a solid foundation in law.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

理lǐprinciple

法 (law) + 理 (principle) gives the principles or theory of law.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

廌廌zhìa type of antelope or caprid

Sound part声符shēngfú

盍

盍hé法fǎ

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

法's older form combined 氵 (water) and 廌 (a type of antelope or caprid), with 盍 as a sound part; later 廌 was dropped.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

玉玉yùjade

Sound part声符shēngfú

里

Same sound today

理 pairs 玉 (jade) with 里, which shows how to say it; the jade part points to the old sense of polishing jade.