民法是调整平等主体（自然人、法人、其他组织）之间财产关系和人身关系的法律规范的总称。

民法是调整平等主体自然人、法人、以及非法人组织之间人身关系和财产关系私法规范的总和。民法调整的主体是平等的主体，包括自然人、法人和非法人组织。民法所调整的内容则是财产关系（包括物权、债权等）和人身关系（包括人格权和身份权）。私法有时候作为民法的同义词，有时候又作为民法的上位概念而使用，一般认为，民法是私法的核心部分。

Civil law is a branch of the law. In common law countries such as England, Wales, and the United States, the term refers to non-criminal law. The law relating to civil wrongs and quasi-contracts is part of the civil law. The law of property is embraced by civil law. Civil law can, like criminal law, be divided into substantive law and procedural law. The rights and duties of individuals amongst themselves is the primary concern of civil law. It is often suggested that civil proceedings are taken for the purpose of obtaining compensation for injury, and may thus be distinguished from criminal proceedings, whose purpose is to inflict punishment. However, exemplary or punitive damages may be awarded in civil proceedings. It was also formerly possible for common informers to sue for a penalty in civil proceedings.