Definitions

(noun) law; rule; regulation; statute
(verb) to standardize; to regulate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

The character "律" is structurally composed of the radical 彳, which implies action or conduct, and the component 聿, representing the act of writing, together forming the idea of codified standards. Its earliest applications were in the context of music, where it denoted the fixed pitches that provide a foundation for melody, illustrating a conceptual link between auditory regularity and social order. As Chinese society developed, the term expanded beyond musical theory to encompass written laws and ethical norms, gradually becoming the primary term for legal statutes and personal discipline. This transition from a specific technical use to a general concept of governance shows how the character's inherent emphasis on measured action and formal documentation persisted through its semantic development.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

面前人人平等。

Fǎlǜ miànqián rénrén píngděng.

All people are equal before the law.

他每天生活很有规

Tā měitiān shēnghuó hěn yǒu guīlǜ.

He lives a very regular life every day.

这位师非常有名。

Zhè wèi lǜshī fēicháng yǒu míng.

This lawyer is very famous.

我们都要遵守学校的纪

Wǒmen dōu yào zūnshǒu xuéxiào de jìlǜ.

We all must obey the school's discipline.

这首诗的韵非常优美。

Zhè shǒu shī de yùnlǜ fēicháng yōuměi.

The rhythm of this poem is very beautiful.

是成功的重要品质。

Zìlǜ shì chénggōng de zhòngyào pǐnzhì.

Self-discipline is an important quality for success.

物理学中有许多基本定

Wùlǐ xué zhōng yǒu xǔduō jīběn dìnglǜ.

There are many fundamental laws in physics.

作曲家为这段旋配上了和声。

Zuòqǔ jiā wèi zhè duàn xuánlǜ pèi shàngle héshēng.

The composer added harmony to this melody.