律师助理
lǜshī zhùlǐ
The English term paralegal is translated into Mandarin as 律师助理 (lǜshī zhùlǐ).
律师助理 is used to refer to a person who assists a lawyer.
Meaning: one who assists a lawyer (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 律师助理 is composed of 律师, meaning lawyer and 助理, meaning assistant.
Which one should you use?
While 律师助理 translates to lawyer's assistant, the term 法律助理 is also a formal way to express paralegal, with an emphasis on the legal aspect of the role.
How do you pronounce it?
lǜshī zhùlǐ
Did you know?
- The character 律 in 律师 originally referred to musical pipes or laws of harmony before it became the primary word for legal statutes.
- In mainland China, the job duties of a 律师助理 are often much more administrative and clerical than the 'paralegal' roles found in many Western legal systems.
- The word 师 (shī) in 律师 (lǜshī) traditionally refers to a master or a teacher, suggesting that a lawyer is someone who has mastered a specific craft or discipline.
Examples in context
- 我是一名律师助理。I am a paralegal.
- 我的职业是法律助理。My profession is a paralalegal.
- 我是法务助理，负责协助处理法律文件。I am a paralegal responsible for assisting with legal documents.
- 她是那家律所的律师助理。Tā shì nà jiā lǜsuǒ de lǜshī zhùlǐ.She is a paralegal at that law firm.
- 我想申请做一名律师助理。Wǒ xiǎng shēnqǐng zuò yī míng lǜshī zhùlǐ.I want to apply to be a paralegal.
- 这位律师助理非常专业。Zhè wèi lǜshī zhùlǐ fēicháng zhuānyè.This paralegal is very professional.
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are discussing career paths in a cafe.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，你现在的职位是什么？Xiǎowén, nǐ xiànzài de zhíwèi shì shénme?Xiaowen, what is your current position?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我是一名律师助理。Wǒ shì yī míng lǜshī zhùlǐ.I am a paralegal.
- 伟 Wei做律师助理很辛苦吗？Zuò lǜshī zhùlǐ hěn xīnkǔ ma?Is working as a paralegal very hard?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen虽然很忙，但我学到很多。Suīrán hěn máng, dàn wǒ xuédào hěnduō.Although it is busy, I learn a lot.
