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March 24, 2026
随(隨)suí(Sui2)
The character 随 (suí) primarily means 'to follow' or 'to comply with.' It is often used in contexts where something is done according to someone's wishes or in alignment with certain circumstances. This character can also imply variability or allowance, as in adapting to different situations.
Strokes11Radical阝Frequency#1405DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of flexibility or 'going with the flow' is highly valued, and 随 embodies this idea. It reflects a cultural emphasis on harmony and adaptability in social interactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person named Sui who always follows the path of least resistance, going wherever the wind blows. The character 随 has a radical '走' (to walk) suggesting movement or following, and the top part can be seen as a person moving along a path.
Meanings of 随
suí(Sui2)
1to follow
2to comply with
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 随
随Simplified
隨Traditional
11Strokes
阝Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1405Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 随
Podcast: 随
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AI Study Notes for 随
Quick Contrast
随 (suí) vs 依 (yī) — use 随 when emphasizing following or complying with circumstances, while 依 suggests dependence or reliance on something.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 随 with the character '随便' (suí biàn), which means 'carefree' or 'casual.' Note that 随 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but the tone should remain respectful when addressing requests. Common collocations include 随意 (suí yì, 'as one wishes') and 随时 (suí shí, 'at any time').
HSK Study Tips
While 随 is not specifically categorized in the HSK levels, it is essential for learners aiming for HSK 5 and above as it appears in various phrases and idiomatic expressions. Students should focus on its usage in different contexts to fully grasp its flexibility.
Common Mistakes
Students often mistakenly use 随 in contexts where a stronger verb is required, such as saying '随去' (suí qù) when they mean '跟着去' (gēnzhe qù, 'to go along with'). Always consider the intensity of the action when choosing the verb.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 随
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Simplified form of 隨. Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 隋 represents the sound.
1The giveawayTo walk 迶 to the city 阝; to follow a path
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 随? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 随?
Decomposition of 随
IDS Structure⿰阝迶
随Full Character
=
阝yi4
left
迶you4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 随?
How to say to follow in Chinese
“to follow” in Chinese is随suí
The character 随 (suí) primarily means 'to follow' or 'to comply with.' It is often used in contexts where something is done according to someone's wishes or in alignment with certain circumstances. This character can also imply variability or allowance, as in adapting to different situations.
When to use 随
Learners often confuse 随 with the character '随便' (suí biàn), which means 'carefree' or 'casual.' Note that 随 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but the tone should remain respectful when addressing requests. Common collocations include 随意 (suí yì, 'as one wishes') and 随时 (suí shí, 'at any time').
随 or something close to it
随 (suí) vs 依 (yī) — use 随 when emphasizing following or complying with circumstances, while 依 suggests dependence or reliance on something.
What learners get wrong
Students often mistakenly use 随 in contexts where a stronger verb is required, such as saying '随去' (suí qù) when they mean '跟着去' (gēnzhe qù, 'to go along with'). Always consider the intensity of the action when choosing the verb.
Write 随
随
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Grammar Patterns of 随
随 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 7 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.
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Cultural Notes for 随
💡Did you know?
The character '随' is often used in phrases like '随便' (suí biàn), meaning 'casual' or 'do as you like'. This reflects a cultural attitude towards flexibility and adaptability in social situations.
随 (suí) and 跟 (gēn) both imply following, but 随 emphasizes compliance and agreement, while 跟 refers more to physically following someone or something. For example, '我随你' (wǒ suí nǐ) means 'I comply with you,' whereas '我跟你' (wǒ gēn nǐ) means 'I follow you.' Understanding the context is key to using these characters correctly.
随 (suí) has several meanings in Chinese, including 'to comply with,' 'to allow,' and 'subsequently.' It can also refer to a surname, Sui. The character is used in various contexts to indicate following or agreeing with something.
To use 随 (suí) in a sentence, you can say '随便' (suí biàn), which means 'as you like' or 'do as you please.' Another example is '随时可以来' (suí shí kě yǐ lái), meaning 'you can come at any time.' This shows how the character conveys flexibility and compliance.
Not necessarily; while it often has a neutral or positive connotation, the context can shift its meaning to imply passivity or lack of direction.
Yes, 随 can be used in both informal and formal contexts, but be mindful of the surrounding language to maintain appropriate tone.
You can use it in sentences like '我会随你的意愿行事' (Wǒ huì suí nǐ de yìyuàn xíngshì), meaning 'I will act according to your wishes.'
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