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 "to follow"
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "to follow", including 则 (zé), 随 (suí), 跟 (gēn), 顺 (shùn), 遵 (zūn), 循 (xún). Study pinyin, English meanings…
How to Study This Meaning Group
The English word "to follow" covers 6 different Chinese characters — 则 (zé), 随 (suí), 跟 (gēn), 顺 (shùn), 遵 (zūn), 循 (xún) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 6 characters do not share a sound — their readings span zé, suí, gēn, shùn, zūn, xún — 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
- 随 suíto follow; to comply with; to allow; (surname)Useful words: 随便, 随时
- 跟 gēnto follow; to go with; heel; with; andUseful words: 跟随, 高跟鞋
- 顺 shùnto obey; to follow; to arrange; to make reasonable; along; favorableUseful words: 顺利, 一路顺风
- 遵 zūnto observe; to obey; to followUseful words: 遵守, 遵循
Common words for these 6 "to follow" characters
Anchor each of these 6 characters in a word you can picture — start with 则 (zé) — so "to follow" 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随便suí biànas one wishes; as one pleases; at random; negligent随时suí shíat any time; at all times; at the right time; whenever necessary随着suí zhealong with; in the wake of; following跟随gēn suíto follow高跟鞋gāo gēn xiéhigh-heeled shoes跟前gēn qiánthe front (of); (in) front; (in) sb's presence; just before (a date)顺利shùn lìsmoothly; without a hitch
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 6 ways to say "to follow".
随 suí — to follow; to comply with; to allow; (surname)
请随我来。Qǐng suí wǒ lái.Please follow me.
Common words: 随便 (suí biàn)、随时 (suí shí)、随着 (suí zhe)
跟 gēn — to follow; to go with; heel; with; and
弟弟总是跟在我后面。Dì di zǒng shì gēn zài wǒ hòu mian.My younger brother always follows behind me.
Common words: 跟随 (gēn suí)、高跟鞋 (gāo gēn xié)、跟前 (gēn qián)
顺 shùn — to obey; to follow; to arrange; to make reasonable; along; favorable
祝你一路顺风！Zhù nǐ yí lù shùn fēng!Have a pleasant journey!
Common words: 顺利 (shùn lì)、一路顺风 (yī lù shùn fēng)、顺便 (shùn biàn)
遵 zūn — to observe; to obey; to follow
我们都要自觉遵守学校的规定。Wǒ men dōu yào zì jué zūn shǒu xué xiào de guī dìng.We should all consciously obey the school rules.
Common words: 遵守 (zūn shǒu)、遵循 (zūn xún)、遵照 (zūn zhào)
循 xún — to follow; to adhere to; to abide by
学习要循序渐进，不能着急。Xué xí yào xún xù jiàn jìn, bù néng zháo jí.Learning should proceed step by step; do not rush.
Common words: 循环 (xún huán)、遵循 (zūn xún)、循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn)
All 6 characters
Open 则、随、跟 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.