loi
/lwa/
loi is the French word for law.
The word loi can refer to a general concept of law or to a specific piece of legislation, such as a law passed by parliament.
Which one should you use?
While loi refers to a legal statute or a rule, droit refers to the concept of law or a person's legal rights.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun loi is feminine, so it is used with the feminine article la or une.
How do you pronounce it?
/lwa/
Did you know?
- In mathematical contexts, loi is used to describe a 'law of probability' or a distribution, such as loi normale for the normal distribution.
- The French word loi shares an ancient root with the English word 'logic', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to gather' or 'to collect'.
- In French, you can say la loi du plus fort to describe the 'law of the jungle' or the rule of the strongest, a phrase often used in literature to describe social Darwinism.
Examples in context
- Selon la loi, il est interdit de fumer dans cet établissement.According to the law, smoking is prohibited in this establishment.
- Cette loi est très stricte.This law is very strict.
- Il faut respecter la loi.One must respect the law.
- La nouvelle loi entre en vigueur demain.The new law comes into force tomorrow.
Example conversation
Léa and Lucas are discussing a new regulation at school.
- LéaEst-ce que c'est une nouvelle loi ?Is this a new law?
- LucasOui, Lucas pense que c'est juste.Yes, Lucas thinks it is fair.
- LéaJe ne comprends pas cette loi.I do not understand this law.
- LucasJe peux t'expliquer, Léa.I can explain it to you, Léa.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry loi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries loi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
