violer la loi
to break the law
字面意思: to violate the law
Use this for actual crimes or serious legal violations, not for minor social mistakes.
15秒了解
- Used for serious legal infractions or formal rule-breaking.
- Conjugates like a standard -er verb in French.
- Stronger and more official than breaking a social rule.
意思
This phrase is used to describe the act of doing something illegal or failing to follow a formal rule set by the government. It's the serious way to say someone 'broke the law' in a legal or official sense.
关键例句
3 / 6Discussing a news story
Le politicien a été arrêté car il a violé la loi.
The politician was arrested because he broke the law.
Warning a friend about a bad idea
Fais attention, si tu fais ça, tu vas violer la loi.
Be careful, if you do that, you're going to break the law.
In a formal legal document
Toute personne qui viole la loi sera poursuivie.
Anyone who violates the law will be prosecuted.
文化背景
The phrase is deeply rooted in the French legalistic tradition, influenced by the Civil Code. While the French are known for their rebellious spirit and frequent strikes, the 'loi' is a sacred concept in the Republic. Using this specific phrase often implies a moral or civic failure, not just a technical one.
The Double Meaning
The verb `violer` also means 'to rape' in French. While `violer la loi` is a perfectly standard and safe phrase, be careful when using the verb `violer` on its own without a clear object like `la loi`.
The Elegant Alternative
If you want to sound a bit more sophisticated or 'literary,' use the verb `enfreindre` instead. `Enfreindre la loi` is very common in written French and avoids the harshness of the word `violer`.
15秒了解
- Used for serious legal infractions or formal rule-breaking.
- Conjugates like a standard -er verb in French.
- Stronger and more official than breaking a social rule.
What It Means
Think of this as the official way to say someone did something illegal. It sounds more serious than just breaking a simple rule. When you use this phrase, you are talking about the big stuff. It is about the rules that keep society running. You aren't just being naughty; you are crossing a legal line. It is the kind of thing that gets the police involved.
How To Use It
Using this phrase is actually quite straightforward. You just conjugate the verb violer like any regular -er verb. It works best when followed directly by la loi. You can say il viole la loi or ils ont violé la loi. It fits perfectly in sentences about crime or legal consequences. Just remember to keep the article la in there. It sounds very natural in news reports or serious discussions.
When To Use It
Use this when you want to sound authoritative or serious. It is great for discussing politics or the evening news. If you see someone doing something clearly illegal, this is your phrase. You might use it in a meeting about company compliance. It also works well in a classroom setting when discussing history. It carries a certain weight that other phrases lack. Use it when the stakes are high.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for small, personal mistakes. If you break a promise to a friend, don't use violer. If you break a plate, definitely don't use it. It is strictly for legal or very formal rules. Also, be a little careful with the verb violer. In other contexts, it can mean something much more violent. Stick to the full phrase violer la loi to stay safe. Using it for minor social slips makes you sound way too dramatic.
Cultural Background
France has a very long and complex legal history. The Napoleonic Code changed how laws were written across the world. Because of this, the French often have a deep respect for the law. Even if they love to protest, the law remains a central pillar. This phrase reflects that gravity. It is not just a suggestion; it is a foundational rule. Breaking it is seen as a serious breach of the social contract.
Common Variations
If violer feels too strong, you have other great options. Enfreindre la loi is very common and sounds a bit more elegant. It is the go-to for most French speakers in writing. You could also use transgresser la loi if you want to sound philosophical. For something a bit more casual, you might hear braver la loi. This implies a bit of courage or defiance. Each one adds a slightly different flavor to your sentence.
使用说明
This phrase is neutral but leans toward formal contexts like news or law. Be mindful of the phonetic similarity to more sensitive topics; always include 'la loi' to ensure clarity.
The Double Meaning
The verb `violer` also means 'to rape' in French. While `violer la loi` is a perfectly standard and safe phrase, be careful when using the verb `violer` on its own without a clear object like `la loi`.
The Elegant Alternative
If you want to sound a bit more sophisticated or 'literary,' use the verb `enfreindre` instead. `Enfreindre la loi` is very common in written French and avoids the harshness of the word `violer`.
The 'Dura Lex' Mentality
French culture has a love-hate relationship with rules. While people complain about bureaucracy, calling someone a 'hors-la-loi' (outlaw) is a very serious accusation that implies they are outside of society.
例句
6Le politicien a été arrêté car il a violé la loi.
The politician was arrested because he broke the law.
A standard way to report a legal infraction.
Fais attention, si tu fais ça, tu vas violer la loi.
Be careful, if you do that, you're going to break the law.
Used as a serious warning between friends.
Toute personne qui viole la loi sera poursuivie.
Anyone who violates the law will be prosecuted.
Very formal and authoritative usage.
J'ai violé la loi... j'ai oublié de payer le parking !
I broke the law... I forgot to pay for parking!
Slightly dramatic/humorous use for a minor offense.
Mettre de l'ananas sur une pizza ? Tu violes la loi de la cuisine !
Putting pineapple on a pizza? You're breaking the law of cooking!
Hyperbolic and funny usage.
Ils violent la loi en toute impunité, c'est scandaleux !
They break the law with total impunity, it's scandalous!
Shows strong emotion regarding unfairness.
自我测试
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the phrase.
Si tu conduis sans permis, tu ___ la loi.
The subject 'tu' requires the conjugated form 'violes' in the present tense.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the legal warning.
Il est interdit de ___ la loi sur le droit d'auteur.
In the context of copyright (droit d'auteur), 'violer' is the correct term for breaking the rules.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of 'Breaking the Law'
Doing something 'pas bien' or 'faire une bêtise'.
J'ai fait une bêtise.
Standard way to describe breaking a law.
Il a violé la loi.
Legalistic and precise language.
Enfreindre les dispositions légales.
When to use 'Violer la loi'
News Reports
Reporting a robbery.
Legal Warnings
Terms and conditions.
Serious Debates
Discussing ethics.
Hyperbole
Joking about bad habits.
常见问题
10 个问题Not if you are talking about an actual crime. It is the standard term, though enfreindre la loi is a softer, more common alternative in polite speech.
No, you should use trahir une promesse or rompre une promesse. Violer la loi is strictly for legal rules.
Yes, it is a cognate. It carries the same sense of crossing a boundary or breaking a sacred rule.
You would say J'ai violé la loi. It uses the auxiliary verb avoir.
Absolutely. You will hear it regarding contracts or regulations, such as violer la loi sur la protection des données (breaking data protection law).
The opposite is respecter la loi (to follow/respect the law).
Usually, no. For sports, you would say commettre une faute or enfreindre les règles du jeu.
No, it is a neutral to formal collocation used in standard French.
They can, but they usually use simpler words like faire quelque chose d'interdit (doing something forbidden).
Yes, it always implies a breach or an offense, whether it is a law, a space, or a person's rights.
相关表达
enfreindre la loi
être hors-la-loi
respecter la loi
transgresser les règles
commettre une infraction
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