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知法犯法 (zhīfǎfànfǎ - knowingly break the law)

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

formal, somewhat condemnatory

How it works

This is a four-character idiom (成语 chéngyǔ). It is composed of two pairs of verb-noun structures, '知法' (know the law) and '犯法' (break the law), linked to form a parallel structure. It functions as a predicate or an attributive in a sentence, often used to describe someone's egregious misconduct.

Sample sentences

作为执法人员，他竟然知法犯法，令人发指。

As a law enforcement officer, he actually knowingly broke the law, which is outrageous.

这种知法犯法的行为，必须受到法律的严惩。

Such acts of knowingly breaking the law must be severely punished by the law.

他本该成为社会的表率，却知法犯法，最终身败名裂。

He should have been a role model for society, but he knowingly broke the law and ultimately ruined his reputation.

Quick facts

type:成语 (chéngyǔ - four-character idiom)

connotation:Strongly negative; implies deliberate transgression by someone who should know better, often used to criticize public officials or those in positions of responsibility.

Often used with

知法犯法的行为 (zhīfǎfànfǎ de xíngwéi - act of knowingly breaking the law)

知法犯法的官员 (zhīfǎfànfǎ de guānyuán - official who knowingly breaks the law)

严惩知法犯法者 (yánchéng zhīfǎfànfǎ zhě - severely punish those who knowingly break the law)

杜绝知法犯法 (dùjué zhīfǎfànfǎ - put an end to knowingly breaking the law)

Mnemonic

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Example

作为执法人员，他竟然知法犯法，令人发指。

As a law enforcement officer, he actually knowingly broke the law, which is outrageous.

这种知法犯法的行为，必须受到法律的严惩。

Such acts of knowingly breaking the law must be severely punished by the law.