Meaning
(expresses contrast with a previous sentence or clause); standard; norm; rule; to imitate; to follow
Chinese: 规则、准则，也表示承接或转折。
Hear the Four Tones
The same syllable “ze” becomes a different word in each tone. 则 is the 2nd tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.
Stroke Order
Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.
Common Words
- 否则fǒu zéotherwise; if not; or (else)
- 规则guī zérule; regulation; regular; orderly
- 原则yuán zéprinciple; doctrine
- 准则zhǔn zénorm; standard; criterion
- 以身作则yǐ shēn zuò zéto set an example (idiom); to serve as a model
Example Sentence
这是我们必须遵守的规则。Zhè shì wǒ men bì xū zūn shǒu de guī zé.This is the rule we must follow.
这Zhèthis是shìis我们wǒ menwe必须bì xūto have to遵zūnto observe守shǒuto guard的deof规则guī zérule。
Go deeper
Where this character comes from
贝 (a tripod/value) plus 刂 (knife): rules once inscribed beside the vessels — ‘a rule, standard, norm; then, in that case; but; a measure word for items of text’ (规则, 否则, 一则). Simplified from 則.
A way to remember it
‘A rule’; and ‘then / in that case’: 规则, 否则.