法规
fǎguī · HSK 5
rule of law
⚖️📜 法规 = 法 (law) + 规 (rule/regulation)
法 means law or method; 规 means rule, compass, or regulation. Together 法规 covers codified rules — statutes, ordinances, and binding regulations. 规 originally referred to a drawing compass, extending to 'standard' or 'norm'.
法 — water 氵 + go 去
Originally written 灋, combining the water radical 氵 (suggesting a level standard, like water finding its level), the mythical beast 廌 (which judged guilt), and 去 (to remove or banish). The 廌 was later dropped, leaving 法. The core meaning evolved from 'law' or 'standard' to also include 'method' and 'way of doing'.