Chinese word

先例

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiān lì

Meaning

  • nounprecedent

Example

这件事有先例可循。zhè jiàn shì yǒu xiān lì kě xún

There is a precedent for this.

Illustration for 先例 (precedent)

More examples

法院通常以先例为依据作出判决。fǎ yuàn tōng cháng yǐ xiān lì wèi yī jù zuò chū pàn jué

Courts usually base their rulings on precedent.

Core concept

An earlier case that becomes a useful reference when a similar situation comes up again.

Common phrases

  • 以先例为依据yǐ xiān lì wèi yī jù

    rely on precedent

  • 沿袭先例yán xí xiān lì

    follow precedent

Similar words

前例qián lì: A previous case or example used as a guide for later decisions or actions.
判例pàn lì: A court case or ruling used as a reference when deciding similar cases.

Definition in Chinese

以前发生过的、可以作为后来处理或判断参考的事例。yǐ qián fā shēng guò de ké yǐ zuò wéi hòu lái chú lǐ huò pàn duàn cān kǎo de shì lì

Word origin

先 (xiān, "before") marks the earlier time and 例 (lì, "example") marks the case, giving the compound its sense of a past case used for later judgment.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, 先例 (xiānlì, "precedent") has a formal tone and fits discussions of rules or decisions better than casual storytelling.

Other meanings

  • examplenoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word