French Conversation · Level 8
90 words
French word
loi
Pronunciation
IPA/lwa/
Meaning
- feminine nounlaw
Example
La loi protège les citoyens.
The law protects citizens.
More examples
Selon la loi, il faut déclarer ce revenu.
According to the law, this income must be declared.
Core concept
An official rule that marks the limits of permitted and forbidden conduct.
Common phrases
selon la loi
according to the law
en vertu de la loi
under the law
contre la loi
against the law
Similar words
règle: A rule or procedure that a society or group is expected to follow.
règlement: A document setting specific operating rules for an organization or facility.
code: A systematic collection of laws and regulations covering a particular field.
décret: A legally binding order issued by a government or minister.
Definition in French
Texte officiel fixé par une autorité publique qui définit des obligations et des interdictions pour une communauté.
Word origin
French loi developed from Latin lex, whose genitive form was legis, through the Old French form lei before becoming loi.
Usage tips
- In legal vocabulary, loi refers to a statute, while droit can refer more broadly to law, the legal system, or an individual right.
Other meanings
- statutenoun
- principlenoun
Opposites
- illégalitéillegalitynoun