正法

zhèngfǎ

verb #30,279

Meanings

1 to execute (a criminal); to put to death
2 (noun) the law; orthodox Buddhist teaching

Characters

correct; upright

law; method; Dharma

Examples

这名匪首被就地正法。

Zhè míng fěishǒu bèi jiùdì zhèngfǎ.

The bandit chief was executed on the spot.

佛法又称正法。

Fófǎ yòu chēng zhèngfǎ.

The Dharma is also called the True Law.

Tips

register

Two registers, very different feel. (1) Legal/historical: "to put to death" — see the set phrase 就地正法 (jiùdì zhèngfǎ, "execute on the spot"). (2) Buddhist: 正法 = saddharma, the "true Dharma," the correct teaching. Modern news usage almost always means execution.

Stroke Order

正 zhèng

法 fǎ