Definition
作法 is a polysemous verb-object compound (离合词). Its most common sense is as a noun meaning 'method, way of doing things' (often interchangeable with 做法), but the official POS label lists it only as v.o. The verb-object uses include 'to practice magic' (道士作法) and, more formally, 'to legislate; to make laws'. When used as a v.o., elements can split: 作了一次法 ('performed magic once'). The noun sense does not split. Be aware of the split between the colloquial 'method' sense and the specialized verb-object uses.
v.o.
Dao. resort to magic artslegislatemake lawsway of doing/making sth.method/stylecourse of actionpractice
Examples
- 作法。Zhè zhǒng zuò fǎ zài mínjiān hěn chángjiàn.This kind of practice is very common among the people.
- 。Nà wèi dàoshì zài miào lǐ zuò le yí cì fǎ.That Taoist priest performed a magic ritual at the temple.
- 作法。Quánguó réndà zhèngzài zuò fǎ xīn de jīngjì fǎguī.The National People's Congress is legislating new economic regulations.
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