Chinese–EnglishWith examples

定律

dìng lǜ · ding lü · ding lv

Same in simplified and traditional Chinese

Meaning

CC-CEDICT
  1. scientific law (e.g. law of conservation of energy)
  2. (in human affairs) a generalization based on observation (e.g. "power corrupts")
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In a conversation

0:26 cartoon

Murphy's law

  1. Dengdeng

    你(nǐ)听说(tīngshuō)过(guò)墨菲定律(mòfēidìnglǜ)吗(ma)？

    Have you heard of Murphy's law?

  2. Liangliang

    听说(tīngshuō)过(guò)：越(yuè)怕(pà)出错(chūcuò)，越(yuè)会(huì)出错(chūcuò)。

    Yes: the more you fear a mistake, the more likely it happens.

  3. Dengdeng

    对(duì)！我(wǒ)今天(jīntiān)特意(tèyì)早起(zǎoqǐ)，结果(jiéguǒ)地铁(dìtiě)坏(huài)了(le)。

    Right! I got up early on purpose today, and the subway broke down.

  4. Liangliang

    这(zhè)个(gè)定律(dìnglǜ)真(zhēn)准(zhǔn)。我(wǒ)的(de)手机(shǒujī)也(yě)是(shì)，没(méi)电(diàn)时(shí)一定(yīdìng)要(yào)用(yòng)。

    This law is really accurate. My phone is the same: when it is out of power, I surely need it.

  5. Dengdeng

    那(nà)我(wǒ)现在(xiànzài)说(shuō)一(yī)句(jù)：今天(jīntiān)一定(yīdìng)不会(bùhuì)堵车(dǔchē)。

    Then let me say one thing now: there will definitely be no traffic jam today.

  6. Liangliang

    别(bié)说(shuō)！小心(xiǎoxīn)定律(dìnglǜ)听见(tīngjiàn)！

    Do not say it! The law will hear you!

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In a sentence

2 examples
01

没(méi)有(yǒu)任(rèn)何(hé)事(shì)物(wù)能(néng)逃(táo)脱(tuō)墨(mò)菲(fēi)定(dìng)律(lǜ)。

Nothing is exempt from Murphy's Law.

Tatoeba: Chinese by LeviHighway · English by terrywallwork · CC BY 2.0 FR. Simplified Chinese conversion; Pinyin added or corrected.

02

能(néng)量(liàng)守(shǒu)恒(héng)定(dìng)律(lǜ)是(shì)物(wù)理(lǐ)学(xué)的(de)基(jī)本(běn)定(dìng)律(lǜ)之(zhī)一(yī)。

The law of conservation of energy is one of the fundamental laws of physics.

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Definitions adapted from CC-CEDICT, published by MDBG and its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0. Pinyin display and entry grouping have been adapted.

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