law
1. A rule or regulation established by a government or authority that must be obeyed
The new law prohibits smoking in public places.
A nova lei proíbe fumar em locais públicos.
2. A principle or rule in science, mathematics, or nature
Newton's law of gravitation explains planetary motion.
A lei da gravitação de Newton explica o movimento dos planetas.
3. A general rule or pattern that is always or usually true
It's an unwritten law that you should help your friends.
É uma lei não escrita que você deve ajudar seus amigos.
In Brazil, 'lei' is fundamental to discussions about governance and justice. The phrase 'lei da selva' is commonly used to describe situations lacking order or rules. Brazilian culture often references tension between written laws and their enforcement. The term is essential in discussions about Brazil's legal system, which is based on civil law rather than common law, and recent legal developments like 'Lei Maria da Penha' (domestic violence law) are culturally significant.
Related Idioms & Phrases
lei da selva (law of the jungle - lawlessness or survival of the fittest)
fora da lei (outlaw, outside the law)
ter lei (to have rules or boundaries)
segundo a lei (according to the law)
lei seca (dry law, strict enforcement)
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →