立案 lì’àn to register (to an official organism)
to register (to an official organism); to file a case (for investigation)
How to remember 立案: 立 to stand + 案 file = to register (to an official organism).
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How it is used
- Legal/official: to formally open a case for handling - 警方已经立案 (jǐngfāng yǐjīng lì'àn) the police have opened a case; 立案调查 to file and investigate.
- Also 'to register/put on file' with an authority (a project, a complaint).
- Set legal step: 立案 (open a case) precedes 侦查 (investigate) and 起诉 (prosecute).