案例: meaning, pinyin, and usage

Understanding "案例" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 案例
• Pinyin: ànlì
• Literal Meaning: "case example" or "case instance"
• Primary Meaning: A case (as in a legal case, business case, medical case, or any real-world example used for analysis, study, or reference)

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  案例 is a formal and widely used noun in professional, academic, and everyday contexts. It refers to a specific instance, event, or situation that is documented and analyzed to draw lessons, illustrate principles, or guide decision-making. You will encounter this word most often in:
• Legal settings (a court case)
• Business and management (a case study)
• Education (a teaching case)
• Medicine (a patient case)
• Research (an example or instance under investigation)

Unlike the more general word "例子" (lìzi, which simply means "example"), 案例 implies a structured, often documented situation with some complexity, used for serious examination. It can be interchangeable with "个案" (gè'àn) in some contexts, but 案例 is broader and more commonly used in formal writing and speech.

• Character Breakdown:
• 案 (àn): Originally referred to a long desk or table, then extended to mean "legal case," "record," or "file." It carries a sense of something recorded, formal, and often legal or official.
• 例 (lì): Means "example," "precedent," or "regulation." It appears in words like 例子 (example) and 例如 (for example).

Together, 案例 literally means "a recorded/precedent example" — a concrete instance that has been documented and can serve as a model or warning for future situations. The combination emphasizes that this is not a random example, but one with instructive value.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 这个案例很有教育意义。
  Pinyin: Zhège ànlì hěn yǒu jiàoyù yìyì.
  English: This case is very educational.

• Chinese: 律师正在研究一个复杂的案例。
  Pinyin: Lǜshī zhèngzài yánjiū yīgè fùzá de ànlì.
  English: The lawyer is studying a complicated case.

• Chinese: 我们可以从这个案例中学到很多经验。
  Pinyin: Wǒmen kěyǐ cóng zhège ànlì zhōng xué dào hěnduō jīngyàn.
  English: We can learn a lot of experience from this case.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

In Chinese education and professional training, especially in MBA and legal programs, "案例教学" (ànlì jiāoxué, case method teaching) has become extremely popular. It was heavily influenced by Western business school practices, but it has taken on a distinctly Chinese flavor — often integrating socialist market economy principles or local business environments. Additionally, in Chinese law, 案例 can refer to "precedent-like" rulings, though China's legal system is civil law based and does not officially treat court decisions as binding precedent the way common law systems do. Still, guiding cases (指导性案例) published by the Supreme People's Court serve a similar function, and the word 案例 is the standard term for them.

Conclusion

To remember 案例, think of a well-documented "case" sitting on a desk (案) that serves as an example (例) for future use. It’s a versatile, formal noun you’ll need when discussing legal matters, business studies, or any serious analysis of real-world events. Pair it with words like 研究 (yánjiū, research) or 分析 (fēnxī, analyze) to sound professional and precise.