合法 (héfǎ)

合法 means legal or lawful, describing actions, activities, organizations, or rights that conform to the law and are permitted or recognized by legal authority.

Meanings

[adjective] legal; lawful; legitimate; in accordance with the law

Example Sentences

这家公司是经过工商注册的合法企业。 Zhè jiā gōngsī shì jīngguò gōngshāng zhùcè de héfǎ qǐyè. This company is a legally registered business.

公民有权通过合法途径维护自己的权益。 Gōngmín yǒuquán tōngguò héfǎ tújìng wéihù zìjǐ de quányì. Citizens have the right to protect their interests through legal channels.

该行为已超出合法范围，将受到法律处罚。 Gāi xíngwéi yǐ chāochū héfǎ fànwéi, jiāng shòudào fǎlǜ chǔfá. This behavior has exceeded legal boundaries and will be subject to legal punishment.

我们应该确保所有商业活动都是合法的。 Wǒmen yīnggāi quèbǎo suǒyǒu shāngyè huódòng dōu shì héfǎ de. We should ensure that all business activities are legal.

合法移民享有与公民相近的权利。 Héfǎ yímín xiǎngyǒu yǔ gōngmín xiāngjìn de quánlì. Legal immigrants enjoy rights similar to those of citizens.

法院裁定这份合同是合法有效的。 Fǎyuàn cáidìng zhè fèn hétong shì héfǎ yǒuxiào de. The court ruled that this contract is legally valid.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
合法权益	lawful rights and interests
合法途径	legal channel / means
合法经营	to operate legally
不合法	illegal; unlawful
合法有效	legally valid
合法移民	legal immigrant

Usage Notes

合法 (legal) and its antonym 非法 (illegal) are essential terms in legal, administrative, and political discourse. 合 means "in accordance with" and 法 means "law," so 合法 literally means "in accordance with the law."

合法 can modify nouns directly (合法权益, lawful rights) or function as a predicate (这是合法的, this is legal). It is more formal than 正当 (proper/legitimate) and specifically refers to conformity with written law rather than general moral rightness.

Memory Hook

合 means "to conform" and 法 means "law" -- 合法 is to conform to the law, which is what "legal" means in any language.