本期词汇: break • breach • infringe • violate
These words all mean to do sth that is against the law, an agreement or a principle.
PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS ► to break/breach/infringe a regulation
► to break/breach/violate a rule/law/treaty
► to break/infringe/violate a code
► to break/violate a ceasefire/truce
► to breach/infringe/violate copyright
► to breach/infringe/violate Article 12 of the treaty
break [ T ]
to do sth that is against the law or a rule or agreement to
Some companies have broken sanctions by supplying arms to the warring states. OPP obey
breach [ T ] ( formal )
to not keep an agreement; to not obey a rule or law
The government is accused of breaching the terms of the treaty. OPP comply
► breach noun [ C , U ]: This action is in breach of Article 119 of the Constitution.
NOTE break or breach?
Breach is more formal. You can breach a particular rule, but you would break ‘the law’ in general.: areas where EU limits were breached ◇ They are breaching the law and could be in serious trouble. (wrong) People break laws . Either people or actions can breach rules .
infringe [ T , I ] ( formal )
(of an action or plan) to break a law; to limit sb's legal rights
She refused to answer questions that infringed on her private affairs.
► infringement noun [ U , C ]: an infringement of his personal liberty
violate [ T ] ( formal )
to refuse to obey or keep a law, principle or agreement; to disturb or not respect sb's peace or privacy
She accused press photographers of violating her privacy. OPP respect
► violation noun [ C , U ]: They were in open violation of the treaty. NOTE infringe or violate
Violate often describes actions that are not just illegal, but morally wrong.
Infringe can be about sb's personal rights, but it is not as strong as violate , which is more about universal human rights.
The government is accused of breaching the terms of the treaty
政府被指控破坏协商条款!
She refused to answer questions that infringed on her private affairs.
她拒接回答侵犯她隐私的问题!
She accused press photographers of violating her privacy.
她控告报刊摄影师侵犯她隐私!
1.break
[breik]
vt. & vi.
打破, 折断, 弄坏
vt.
a 破坏, 违反 b 终止, 中断 c 打破(纪录)
n.
a 裂口, 裂缝; 破裂 b 间歇, 中间休息
2.breach
[bri:tʃ]
n.
a 破坏, 违反
b 破裂, 不和
c 缺口, 裂口
vt.
a 攻破
b 破坏, 违反
3.
infringe
[inˈfrindʒ]
vt. & vi.
a 违反(规章等)
b 侵犯(某人的权利)
4.violate
[ˈvaiəleit]
vt.
a 违反, 违背
b 亵渎
c 侵犯, 妨碍