Definition
约法三章 comes from a story about Liu Bang (the first Han emperor), who established three simple laws to win public support. Today it refers to any set of basic rules that everyone agrees to follow — often used when two or more parties set clear expectations before starting a project or relationship.
idiom
agreed-upon rulesbasic rules that everyone must observe
Examples
- 约法三章，。Wǒmen yuē fǎ sān zhāng, shéi yě bù néng chídào.We set a rule that no one can be late.
- ，约法三章。Hézuò zhīqián, shuāngfāng xiān yuē fǎ sān zhāng.Before cooperating, both sides first agree on basic rules.
- 约法三章，。Jiāzhǎng hé háizi yuē fǎ sān zhāng, měitiān zhǐ néng wán yì xiǎoshí yóuxì.The parents and child agreed on a rule: only one hour of gaming per day.
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