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March 24, 2026
非法fēifǎ(fei1fa3)
非法 refers to something that is illegal or not permitted by law. It is commonly used in legal contexts, such as discussing illegal activities, regulations, or actions that violate laws and statutes.
Strokes16Frequency#2351DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In China, discussions around 非法 activities often relate to government policies and regulations, reflecting the country's strict law enforcement practices. Understanding this term can provide insights into social issues like crime and regulation compliance.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big 'X' crossing out a 'law' symbol to visualize 'illegal'. The '非' (fei) looks like a person saying 'No' to a law, while '法' (fa) represents law itself. Together, they create a vivid image of something that is not allowed.
Meanings of 非法
fēifǎ(fei1fa3)
1illegal
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 非法
非法Simplified
16Strokes
—Radical
区别词distinguishing word (dist.)Part of Speech
#2351Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2
Podcast: 非法
Podcast: 非法
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AI Study Notes for 非法
Quick Contrast
非法 (illegal) vs 不合法 (not legal) — use 非法 for a stronger emphasis on criminality, while 不合法 may imply a lack of legality without the same connotation of wrongdoing.
Usage Notes
Be careful when using 非法 in formal contexts, as it is primarily a legal term. Common collocations include 非法行为 (illegal behavior) and 非法交易 (illegal transaction). Avoid confusing it with related terms like 合法 (legal) which have opposite meanings.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 6 word, 非法 can be connected to other legal vocabulary such as 违法 (violate the law) and 合法 (legal). Students should focus on using it in context to discuss legal matters and understand its implications.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 非法 with 违法; while both mean illegal, 非法 is more about the status of being illegal, while 违法 emphasizes the act of violating a law. For example, saying '他的行为是违法的' (His actions are illegal) is correct, but using 非法 here would be less common.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 非法
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How Well Do You Know 非法?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 非法 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
非法 refers to something that is illegal or not permitted by law. It is commonly used in legal contexts, such as discussing illegal activities, regulations, or actions that violate laws and statutes.
When to use 非法
Be careful when using 非法 in formal contexts, as it is primarily a legal term. Common collocations include 非法行为 (illegal behavior) and 非法交易 (illegal transaction). Avoid confusing it with related terms like 合法 (legal) which have opposite meanings.
非法 or something close to it
非法 (illegal) vs 不合法 (not legal) — use 非法 for a stronger emphasis on criminality, while 不合法 may imply a lack of legality without the same connotation of wrongdoing.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 非法 with 违法; while both mean illegal, 非法 is more about the status of being illegal, while 违法 emphasizes the act of violating a law. For example, saying '他的行为是违法的' (His actions are illegal) is correct, but using 非法 here would be less common.
Write 非法
非
法
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Grammar Patterns of 非法
非法 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
雇主以种族或国籍为由歧视员工是____的。
Discrimination by employers on the grounds of race and nationality was illegal.
Example Sentences for 非法 (16)
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1
雇主以种族或国籍为由歧视员工是非法的。
gù zhǔ yǐ zhǒng zú huò guó jí wéi yóu qí shì yuán gōng shì fēi fǎ de。
Discrimination by employers on the grounds of race and nationality was illegal.
