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 "rule"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "rule", including 则 (zé), 程 (chéng), 规 (guī), 格 (gé), 例 (lì), 宰 (zǎi). Study pinyin, English meanings…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "rule" covers 7 different Chinese characters — 则 (zé), 程 (chéng), 规 (guī), 格 (gé), 例 (lì), 宰 (zǎi), 矩 (jǔ) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 7 characters do not share a sound — their readings span zé, chéng, guī, gé, lì, zǎi, and more — 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
- 程 chéngrule; order; regulations; formula; journey; procedureUseful words: 过程, 程度
- 规 guīcompass; ruleUseful words: 规定, 规范
- 格 géframe; ruleUseful words: 价格, 资格
- 例 lìexample; precedent; rule; case; instanceUseful words: 例如, 例子
Common words for these 7 "rule" characters
Anchor each of these 7 characters in a word you can picture — start with 则 (zé) — so "rule" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
否则fǒu zéotherwise; if not; or (else)规则guī zérule; regulation; regular; orderly原则yuán zéprinciple; doctrine过程guò chéngcourse of events; process程度chéng dùdegree; level; extent课程kè chéngcourse; academic program规定guī dìngto stipulate; to specify; to prescribe; to fix (a price)规范guī fànnorm; standard; specification; regulation规则guī zérule; regulation; regular; orderly价格jià géprice
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 7 ways to say "rule".
程 chéng — rule; order; regulations; formula; journey; procedure
这门课程很有意思。Zhè mén kè chéng hěn yǒu yì si.This course is very interesting.
Common words: 过程 (guò chéng)、程度 (chéng dù)、课程 (kè chéng)
规 guī — compass; rule
我们要遵守交通规则。Wǒ men yào zūn shǒu jiāo tōng guī zé.We should obey the traffic rules.
Common words: 规定 (guī dìng)、规范 (guī fàn)、规则 (guī zé)
格 gé — frame; rule
请把答案写在格子里。Qǐng bǎ dá àn xiě zài gé zi lǐ.Please write the answer in the box.
Common words: 价格 (jià gé)、资格 (zī gé)、性格 (xìng gé)
例 lì — example; precedent; rule; case; instance
请给我举一个例子。Qǐng gěi wǒ jǔ yí ge lì zi.Please give me an example.
Common words: 例如 (lì rú)、例子 (lì zi)、比例 (bǐ lì)
宰 zǎi — slaughter; butcher; govern; rule; official
古代有一种官职叫宰相。Gǔ dài yǒu yì zhǒng guān zhí jiào zǎi xiàng.In ancient times, there was an official position called prime minister.
Common words: 主宰 (zhǔ zǎi)、任人宰割 (rèn rén zǎi gē)、宰了 (zǎi le)
矩 jǔ — carpenter's square; rule
做人做事都要懂得规矩。Zuò rén zuò shì dōu yào dǒng de guī ju.One should know the rules in life and in doing things.
Common words: 规矩 (guī ju)、力矩 (lì jǔ)、矩形 (jǔ xíng)
All 7 characters
Open 则、程、规 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.