Definition
明知故犯 is a four-character idiom (成语) meaning 'to knowingly violate a rule or commit an offense.' It describes a situation where someone is fully aware that their action is wrong or prohibited, yet deliberately does it anyway — often implying willful disobedience or a conscious choice to break the rules. The literal breakdown is 明知 'know clearly' + 故 'deliberately' + 犯 'to violate/offend.' Use it to criticize or describe intentional wrongdoing, not accidental mistakes.
f.e.
to knowingly violate (a rule, law, or norm)deliberate wrongdoing despite full awareness
Examples
- ，明知故犯，。Tā míngmíng zhīdào bù néng zài zhèlǐ tíngchē, què míng zhī gù fàn, jiéguǒ bèi fá le kuǎn.He clearly knew he couldn't park here, but deliberately did it anyway, and ended up getting fined.
- ，明知故犯，。Gōngsī guīdìng jìnzhǐ xīyān, tā què míng zhī gù fàn, zài bàngōngshì lǐ chōu le qǐlái.The company forbids smoking, but he knowingly violated the rule and lit up in the office.
- ，明知故犯。Fǎlǜ miànqián rénrén píngděng, míng zhī gù fàn de rén bìxū chéngdān hòuguǒ.Everyone is equal before the law; those who knowingly break it must face the consequences.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.