Understanding the difference between قانون (ghānun) and مقررات (moqararāt) is crucial for anyone learning Persian, especially if you are interested in legal, political, or administrative contexts. These two terms are often used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they have distinct meanings and applications.

Definition of قانون (ghānun)

قانون (ghānun) refers to the law in a general sense. It represents the system of rules that a particular country or community recognizes as regulating the actions of its members and may enforce through penalties.

قانون اساسی جمهوری اسلامی ایران در سال ۱۳۵۸ تصویب شد.

Components and Usage of قانون (ghānun)

The term قانون is often used to refer to fundamental laws, including constitutional laws, criminal laws, civil laws, and international laws.

قانون اساسی (ghānun-e asāsi): This means “Constitution,” which is the fundamental law or set of principles according to which a state or other organization is governed.

قانون اساسی حقوق و وظایف شهروندان را تعیین می‌کند.

قانون مدنی (ghānun-e madani): This means “Civil Law,” which deals with private relations between members of a community rather than criminal, military, or religious affairs.

قانون مدنی شامل قواعد حاکم بر روابط افراد است.

قانون جزا (ghānun-e jazā): This translates to “Criminal Law,” which pertains to crimes and punishment.

قانون جزا مجازات جرایم مختلف را تعیین می‌کند.

Definition of مقررات (moqararāt)

مقررات (moqararāt) refers to regulations or rules. These are specific guidelines or directives made and maintained by an authority to regulate conduct within a particular activity or domain.

مقررات شرکت رعایت ایمنی در محل کار را اجباری می‌کند.

Components and Usage of مقررات (moqararāt)

The term مقررات is often used in contexts involving organizational, administrative, or procedural rules.

مقررات اداری (moqararāt-e edāri): This means “Administrative Regulations,” referring to rules and guidelines that govern the operations of governmental and non-governmental organizations.

مقررات اداری شامل دستورالعمل‌های مربوط به رفتار کارکنان است.

مقررات ایمنی (moqararāt-e imeni): This translates to “Safety Regulations,” which are rules designed to ensure safety in various environments, such as workplaces, public spaces, and homes.

مقررات ایمنی در کارخانه‌ها بسیار سخت‌گیرانه است.

مقررات مالی (moqararāt-e māli): This means “Financial Regulations,” which pertain to the management of financial activities, including budgeting, accounting, and auditing.

مقررات مالی باید به دقت دنبال شود تا از فساد جلوگیری شود.

Comparison and Contextual Usage

While both قانون and مقررات deal with rules and guidelines, their scope and application differ significantly.

قانون (ghānun) – Broad and Fundamental

قانون is usually broad and fundamental, often requiring legislative procedures to be enacted or amended. It forms the backbone of the legal system and provides the framework within which مقررات are developed.

قوانین کشور توسط مجلس تصویب می‌شوند.

مقررات (moqararāt) – Specific and Detailed

مقررات, on the other hand, are more specific and detailed, often developed by various organizations or authorities to implement and enforce the broader laws. They are easier to amend and are usually updated more frequently to adapt to changing circumstances.

مقررات جدید برای کنترل کیفیت محصولات در صنعت مواد غذایی تصویب شد.

Legal Hierarchy and Relationship

Understanding the legal hierarchy is essential for comprehending how قانون and مقررات interact.

Hierarchical Structure

At the top of the legal hierarchy is the قانون اساسی (ghānun-e asāsi), or the Constitution, which lays down the fundamental principles and establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions.

قانون اساسی بالاترین مرجع قانونی کشور است.

Below the Constitution, you have various other قوانین (ghawānīn) that govern different aspects of life and society. These laws provide the framework within which مقررات are developed.

قوانین کشور شامل قانون مدنی و قانون جزا می‌شوند.

Regulations as Implementations

مقررات act as the practical implementations of these broader laws. They provide specific instructions on how the laws are to be applied in various situations. For example, a general law might mandate safety in the workplace, while specific مقررات ایمنی (moqararāt-e imeni) will detail the exact safety measures that need to be in place.

مقررات ایمنی نحوه استفاده از تجهیزات حفاظتی را مشخص می‌کنند.

Examples in Different Contexts

Let’s look at how قانون and مقررات are used in various contexts to illustrate their differences and complementarities.

Educational Context

In the context of education, قانون might refer to the overarching educational policies that a country enacts, while مقررات would involve the specific rules that individual schools or universities set to comply with these policies.

قانون آموزش و پرورش (ghānun-e āmozesh va parvaresh): This refers to the “Education Law,” encompassing all policies related to the country’s education system.

قانون آموزش و پرورش بهبود کیفیت آموزشی را هدف قرار داده است.

مقررات مدرسه (moqararāt-e madrese): This means “School Regulations,” which include the specific rules and guidelines students and staff must follow within a school.

مقررات مدرسه شامل ساعات حضور و غیاب دانش‌آموزان است.

Business Context

In the business world, قانون could refer to corporate laws that govern the formation, operation, and dissolution of companies, while مقررات would pertain to the specific guidelines that companies must follow to comply with these laws.

قانون تجارت (ghānun-e tejārat): This translates to “Commercial Law,” which governs all aspects of business and commerce.

قانون تجارت اصول و قواعد مربوط به فعالیت‌های تجاری را تعیین می‌کند.

مقررات مالیاتی (moqararāt-e māliāti): This means “Tax Regulations,” which detail the specific requirements for tax filing, payment, and compliance.

مقررات مالیاتی هر سال تغییراتی را تجربه می‌کنند.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between قانون and مقررات is essential for navigating various aspects of Persian-speaking societies. While قانون provides the broad framework and fundamental principles, مقررات offer specific guidelines and rules for implementing these principles. Together, they create a comprehensive legal system that regulates behavior, ensures safety, and promotes justice.

By mastering these terms and their applications, language learners can gain a deeper understanding of Persian legal and administrative contexts, enhancing both their linguistic proficiency and cultural competence.