定律 dìnglǜ scientific law
scientific law (e.g. law of conservation of energy); (in human affairs) a generalization based on observation (e.g. "power corrupts")
How to remember 定律: 定 decide + 律 statute = scientific law.
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How it is used
- A scientific law - a regularity that always holds - 牛顿运动定律 (Niúdùn yùndòng dìnglǜ) Newton's laws of motion.
- Distinguish from 规律 (guīlǜ, a pattern/regularity you observe) and 法律 (fǎlǜ, statutory law). 定律 is an established law of nature.
- Extends jokingly to human affairs: 墨菲定律 (Murphy's Law).