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March 24, 2026
违(違)wéi(wei2)
The character 违 (wéi) means to disobey or violate rules, laws, or norms. It is often used in contexts where someone is going against established guidelines or expectations, such as in legal or social settings. This word can also imply a sense of separation or divergence from a standard.
Strokes7Radical辶Frequency#13204DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of obedience to authority and social norms is significant, making the notion of 违 particularly relevant in discussions about law and ethics. Violating societal expectations can lead to social ostracism, reflecting the importance placed on harmony and conformity.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person trying to walk straight but instead chooses to walk away from a straight path, symbolizing violation or going against something. The character 违 combines the radical for 'to go' (走) with a component that suggests 'against,' embodying the idea of straying from the correct path.
Meanings of 违
wéi(wei2)
1to disobey
2to violate
Exercise 1 of 3
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About 违
违Simplified
違Traditional
7Strokes
辶Radical
动语素dòngcíverb root (v.root)Part of Speech
#13204Frequency Rank
Podcast: 违
Podcast: 违
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AI Study Notes for 违
Quick Contrast
违 (wéi) vs 犯 (fàn) — use 违 when emphasizing disobedience to rules, while 犯 focuses on committing a crime or offense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person trying to walk straight but instead chooses to walk away from a straight path, symbolizing violation or going against something. The character 违 combines the radical for 'to go' (走) with a component that suggests 'against,' embodying the idea of straying from the correct path.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 违 with related terms like 违反 (wéifǎn), which also means 'to violate,' but with a more formal tone. It is typically used in more serious contexts, such as legal discussions. Be mindful of the tone; 违 is pronounced with a rising tone (wéi), which is crucial for correct meaning.
HSK Study Tips
Although 违 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for HSK 4-5 learners as it connects well with vocabulary related to law and ethics. Focus on understanding its usage in sentences regarding rules and regulations, as this will enhance comprehension of more complex texts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of obedience to authority and social norms is significant, making the notion of 违 particularly relevant in discussions about law and ethics. Violating societal expectations can lead to social ostracism, reflecting the importance placed on harmony and conformity.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes incorrectly use 违 in informal contexts where a softer term would be more appropriate, such as saying '我违约了' (Wǒ wéiyuē le) instead of '我不小心没有遵守约定' (Wǒ bù xiǎoxīn méiyǒu zūnshǒu yuēdìng), which would be more precise.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 违
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Grammar Patterns of 违
违 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
The judge called the decision "a flagrant violation of international law"
Cultural Notes for 违
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of obedience to authority and social norms is significant, making the notion of 违 particularly relevant in discussions about law and ethics. Violating societal expectations can lead to social ostracism, reflecting the importance placed on harmony and conformity.
Word Family of 违
Words Containing This Character20
违法wéifǎillegal違法
违反wéifǎnto violate (a law)違反
违规wéiguīirregular違規
违背wéibèito go against違背
违wéito disobey違
违章wéizhāngto break the rules違章
违约wéiyuēto break a promise違約
违抗to disobey違抗
违纪lack of discipline違紀
久违jiǔwéia long time since we last met久違
违禁prohibited違禁
事与愿违things turn out contrary to the way one wishes (idiom)事與願違
违约金penalty (fee)違約金
违心false違心
违犯to violate違犯
违宪unconstitutional違憲
违法乱纪to break the law and violate discipline (idiom)違法亂紀
违例to break the rules違例
违和unwell違和
阳奉阴违to agree overtly, but oppose in secret陽奉陰違
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 违法 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 违
You can say '他违背了公司的规章制度' (Tā wéibèi le gōngsī de guīzhāng zhìdù), meaning 'He violated the company's rules and regulations.'
While 违 can be used in formal contexts, it is also used in everyday conversations to describe instances of disobedience or violation.
违 is a more general term for disobeying or going against, whereas 违反 specifically emphasizes the act of violating laws or rules.
