法则 fǎzé law
law; rule; code
How to remember 法则: 法 law + 则 rule = law.
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How it is used
- Means a governing rule or principle, often of nature or a field - 自然法则 (zìrán fǎzé) the laws of nature.
- More abstract and principle-like than 规则 (guīzé, concrete rules of a game/system); 法则 sounds fundamental, even cosmic.
- Common in 游戏法则 (yóuxì fǎzé) 'the rules of the game' (fig.) and 生存法则 (shēngcún fǎzé) survival rules.