法律助理
faat3 leot6 zo3 lei5
The Cantonese phrase for paralegal is 法律助理 (faat3 leot6 zo3 lei5).
This term refers to a person who provides assistance to a lawyer.
Meaning: one who assists a lawyer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 法律助理 is composed of 法律 (law) and 助理 (assistant).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong and Macau, the term 律師助手 is mainly used. In Guangdong province, 律師助理 is preferred.
How do you pronounce it?
faat3 leot6 zo3 lei5
Did you know?
- If you were to use the term in a very high-stakes courtroom setting in Hong Kong, you would likely stick to the English term 'paralegal' rather than the Cantonese translation, due to the city's colonial legal history.
- The character 律 in 法律 also relates to 'rhythm' or 'melody' in classical contexts, linking the concept of law to the idea of a cosmic or social harmony.
- The character 律 (law) in 法律助理 is also found in the word for 'discipline' or 'self-regulation' in many Chinese contexts, suggesting a connection between the law and strict behavioral codes.
Examples in context
- 我想成為一個律師助理。（ngo5 soeng2 sing4 wui4 jat1 go3 leot1 si1 zo6 lei5）I want to become a paralegal.
- 這是一個律師助理的職位。（ze6 si6 jat1 go3 leot1 si1 zo6 lei5 dik1 zik1 wai2）This is a job position for a paralegal.
- 佢係一個律師助手。（keoi5 hai6 jat1 go3 leot1 si1 zo6 sau2）He/She is a paralegal.
- 我哋嘅律師助手好勤奮。（ngo5 dei6 ge3 leot1 si1 zo6 sau2 hou2 kan4 fan5）Our paralegals are hardworking.
- 法律助理喺咪可以幫手？（faat3 leot6 zo6 lei5 hai2 mai6 ho2 ji5 bong1 sau2）Can a legal assistant help with this?
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Ka Yan are talking about their career plans.
- 家明 Ka Ming嘉欣，你想做咩工作？ga1 han1, nei5 soeng2 zou6 me1 gung1 zok3?Ka Yan, what kind of work do you want to do?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我想做法律助理。ngo5 soeng2 zou6 fat3 lut6 zo2 lei6.I want to be a paralegal.
- 家明 Ka Ming你要讀法律課程先啦。nei5 jiu3 duk6 fat3 lut6 fo3 cing4 sin1 laa1.You need to study a law course first.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我知道，我而家報緊名。ngo5 zi1 dou6, ngo5 ji4 gaa1 bou3 gan2 ming4.I know, I am signing up now.
