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循 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
循xúnto followHSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Hard
循xúnto adhere toHSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Hard
循xúnto abide byHSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Hard
循xúnto obey, to follow, to comply withHSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Hard
xún(xun2) T2
  1. 1to follow
  2. 2to adhere to
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
循xún(xun2)

The character 循 (xún) means to follow or adhere to something, often indicating compliance with rules, guidelines, or natural laws. It is commonly used in contexts relating to following procedures, maintaining order, or adhering to principles. This word conveys a sense of continuity and respect for established norms.

Strokes12Radical彳Frequency#13902DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of following social norms and respecting hierarchy is deeply ingrained. The use of 循 reflects the importance placed on conformity and stability in society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a train (the character’s form) following a set track (the meaning of following). The train moves smoothly along its route, reminding you to always follow your path or rules, just like the character xún suggests.

Meanings of 循

xún(xun2)
1to follow
2to adhere to
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 循

循Simplified
12Strokes
彳Radical
名动词dòngcíverb-noun (v.-n.)Part of Speech
#13902Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 循

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Podcast: 循

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 循

Quick Contrast

循 (xún) vs 跟 (gēn) — use 循 when emphasizing adherence to rules or principles, while 跟 focuses more on following someone or something physically.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a train (the character’s form) following a set track (the meaning of following). The train moves smoothly along its route, reminding you to always follow your path or rules, just like the character xún suggests.

Usage Notes

When using 循, be careful to pair it with appropriate nouns such as 规律 (guīlǜ, rules) or 道德 (dàodé, ethics) to convey clear meaning. It is generally used in formal contexts, so avoid using it in casual conversation unless referring to serious matters.

HSK Study Tips

While 循 is not currently listed in HSK levels, it connects well with other verbs related to movement or following, such as 走 (zǒu, to walk) or 跟 (gēn, to follow). Focus on practicing its usage in phrases that express adherence to guidelines or rules.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of following social norms and respecting hierarchy is deeply ingrained. The use of 循 reflects the importance placed on conformity and stability in society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 循 with similar sounding characters like 寻 (xún, to search), leading to incorrect phrases like 循人 (xún rén, which would incorrectly imply following a person). The correct usage would be to adhere to rules or guidelines instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 循

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Etymology of 循

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

step

Semantic (meaning)彳
+
Phonetic (sound)盾
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 循?

Decomposition of 循

IDS Structure⿰彳盾
循Full Character
=
彳chi4
left
盾dun4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 循?

Write 循

循

Practice writing 循 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 循

循 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Related grammar lessons1
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

这实质上是一种狭隘的、因____守旧的照顾孩子的方法。

It is essentially a narrow and conservative approach to child care.

Example Sentences for 循 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这实质上是一种狭隘的、因循守旧的照顾孩子的方法。

zhè shí zhì shàng shì yī zhǒng xiá ài de、 、 yīn xún shǒu jiù de zhào gù hái zǐ de fāng。

It is essentially a narrow and conservative approach to child care.
2
他惊异地发现人很容易在不知不觉中因循守旧起来。

tā jīng yì dì fā xiàn rén hěn róng yì zài bù zhī bù jué zhōng yīn xún shǒu jiù qǐ lái。

It amazed him how easily one could slip into a routine.
3
很多父母觉得要孩子循规蹈矩是件很难的事情。

hěn duō fù mǔ jué dé yào hái zǐ xún guī dǎo jǔ shì jiàn hěn nán de shì qíng。

Many parents find it hard to discourage bad behaviour.
4
按摩可以使肌肉放松，缓解压力和促进血液循环。

àn mó kě yǐ shǐ jī ròu fàng sōng， ， huǎn jiě yā lì hé cù jìn xiě yè xún。

Massage is used to relax muscles, relieve stress and improve the circulation.
5
脚部的循环比手部的循环缓慢得多。

jiǎo bù de xún huán bǐ shǒu bù de xún huán huǎn màn dé duō。

Circulation is much more sluggish in the feet than in the hands.
6
这些再循环方案在多塞特郡的农村地区首先试用。

zhè xiē zài xún huán fāng àn zài duō sāi tè jùn de nóng cūn dì qū shǒu xiān shì yòng。

The recycling scheme gets its first try-out in rural Dorset.
7
东涌铁路站至机场 ( 客运大楼 ) ( 循环线 )

dōng yǒng tiě lù zhàn zhì jī cháng( ( kè yùn dà)( lóu ) ( xún)

Tung Chung Railway Station to Airport ( Passenger Terminal Building ) ( Circular )
8
第81节列出了接受礼物后应该遵循的规定。

dì81 81 jié liè chū le jiē shòu lǐ wù hòu yīng gāi zūn xún de guī。

Paragraph 81 sets out the rules that should apply if a gift is accepted.
9
在三羧酸循环中天冬氨酸可以被分解.

zài sān suō suān xún huán zhōng tiān dōng ān suān kě yǐ bèi fēn jiě.

Aspartic acid can be broken down in the KREBS CYCLE.
10
乙醛酸循环体发现于油脂种子的贮藏组织中.

yǐ quán suān xún huán tǐ fā xiàn yú yóu zhī zhǒng zǐ de zhù cáng zǔ zhī zhōng.

Glyoxysomes are found in the storage tissues of fatty seeds.

Cultural Notes for 循

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, the concept of following social norms and respecting hierarchy is deeply ingrained. The use of 循 reflects the importance placed on conformity and stability in society.

Word Family of 循

Words Containing This Character18
循环xúnhuánto cycle循環
遵循zūnxúnto follow
循xúnto follow
循规蹈矩to act according to convention循規蹈矩
恶性循环vicious circle惡性循環
循序渐进xúnxùjiànjìnin sequence, step by step (idiom); to make steady progress incrementally循序漸進
循环系统circulatory system循環系統
因循守旧diehard conservative attitudes因循守舊
循环赛round-robin tournament循環賽
循循善诱to guide patiently and systematically (idiom)循循善誘
因循to procrastinate
依循to follow
循化Xunhua Salazu autonomous county in Haidong prefecture 海東地區|海东地区[Hǎi​dōng​dì​qū], Qinghai
循环性recurrent循環性
循化县Xunhua Salazu autonomous county in Haidong prefecture 海東地區|海东地区[Hǎi​dōng​dì​qū], Qinghai循化縣
循化撒拉族自治县Xunhua Salazu autonomous county in Haidong prefecture 海東地區|海东地区[Hǎi​dōng​dì​qū], Qinghai循化撒拉族自治縣
循环论证circular argument循環論證
循环小数recurring decimal循環小數
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 循环 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 循

Common phrases include 循规蹈矩 (xún guī dǎo jǜ, to act according to rules) and 循序渐进 (xún xù jiàn jìn, to progress step by step).