则 zé — (expresses contrast with a previous sentence or clause); standard; norm; rule; to imitate; to follow
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.
Common words: 否则 (fǒu zé)、规则 (guī zé)、原则 (yuán zé)
Meaning Index
Chinese characters meaning "norm"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "norm", including 则 (zé), 模 (mó). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms, common words, and examples.
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "norm" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 则 (zé), 模 (mó) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span zé, mó — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 则 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
- 则 zé(expresses contrast with a previous sentence or clause); standard; norm; rule; to imitate; to followUseful words: 否则, 规则
- 模 móimitate; model; norm; patternUseful words: 模型, 规模
Common words for these 2 "norm" characters
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 则 (zé) — so "norm" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
See each character in a sentence
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "norm".
模 mó — imitate; model; norm; pattern
孩子常常模仿大人说话。Hái zi cháng cháng mó fǎng dà rén shuō huà.Children often imitate the way adults speak.
Common words: 模型 (mó xíng)、规模 (guī mó)、大规模 (dà guī mó)
All 2 characters
Open 则、模 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.