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则 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
则zéconjunction used to express contrast with a previous sentence or clauseHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zéstandardHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zénormHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zéruleHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zéto imitateHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zéto followHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zéthenHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zéprincipleHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zéclassifier for written items (such as an official statement)HSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zérule, law, regulation; gradesHSK 6, d, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
则zé(conjunction used to express contrast with a previous clause) butHSK 6, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard, conjunction
则zéclassifier for written itemsHSK 6, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 刂, rank #1707, Hard
zé(ze2) T2
  1. 1conjunction used to express contrast with a previous sentence or clause
  2. 2standard
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

则(則)zé(ze2)

则 (zé) is a conjunction used to express contrast, similar to 'but' or 'then' in English. It can also refer to norms, standards, or principles, and is used as a classifier for written items like official statements. In contexts of rules or regulations, 则 indicates a standard or guideline that one should follow.

Strokes6Radical刂Frequency#1707DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of following rules and norms is deeply embedded in social conduct, reflected in phrases like '君子之道' (the way of the gentleman), which emphasizes moral principles and standards. The use of 则 in phrases about societal expectations highlights this cultural emphasis.

Memory Tip

Imagine a tightrope walker who must follow strict norms (则) to maintain balance. The character 则 has a component resembling a horizontal line, representing the tightrope, while the 'person' radical signifies following a path or rule. This mental image connects the pronunciation 'zé' to the act of adhering to standards.

Meanings of 则

zé(ze2)
1conjunction used to express contrast with a previous sentence or clause
2standard
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 则

则Simplified
則Traditional
6Strokes
刂Radical
连词连词cdqu (conj.)Part of Speech
#1707Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L6AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 则

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Podcast: 则

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AI Study Notes for 则

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 则 with 但 (dàn), which also means 'but' but is used in more informal contexts. 则 tends to be used in formal writing or structured arguments, often appearing in legal or academic texts. Common collocations include '法律则' (legal norms) or '则是' (is then).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, 则 connects with other words related to rules and norms, such as 规则 (guīzé - rule) and 法则 (fǎzé - law). Focus on its use in formal contexts and practice constructing sentences that illustrate contrast using 则.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 则 with 作为 (zuòwéi), thinking they can use them interchangeably to mean 'to be.' For example, saying '他作为一个好学生则很努力' (Tā zuòwéi yīgè hǎo xuéshēng zé hěn nǔlì) is incorrect; it should be '他作为一个好学生很努力' without 则.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 则

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Etymology of 则

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Explanation

Simplified form of 則. Depicts carving inscriptions on bronzeware (鼎) with a knife (刂). Based on the original meaning "law". In ancient China, some legal writings were inscribed on bronzeware.

Memory Hint

Laws inscribed 刂 on a slate 贝

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 则

Simplified form of 則. Depicts carving inscriptions on bronzeware (鼎) with a knife (刂). Based on the original meaning "law". In ancient China, some legal writings were inscribed on bronzeware.

  1. 1The giveawayLaws inscribed 刂 on a slate 贝
  2. 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 则? 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 则?

Decomposition of 则

IDS Structure⿰贝刂
则Full Character
=
贝Bei4
left
刂dao1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 则?

How to say conjunction used to express contrast with a previous sentence or clause in Chinese

“conjunction used to express contrast with a previous sentence or clause” in Chinese is则zé

则 (zé) is a conjunction used to express contrast, similar to 'but' or 'then' in English. It can also refer to norms, standards, or principles, and is used as a classifier for written items like official statements. In contexts of rules or regulations, 则 indicates a standard or guideline that one should follow.

When to use 则

Be careful not to confuse 则 with 但 (dàn), which also means 'but' but is used in more informal contexts. 则 tends to be used in formal writing or structured arguments, often appearing in legal or academic texts. Common collocations include '法律则' (legal norms) or '则是' (is then).

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 则 with 作为 (zuòwéi), thinking they can use them interchangeably to mean 'to be.' For example, saying '他作为一个好学生则很努力' (Tā zuòwéi yīgè hǎo xuéshēng zé hěn nǔlì) is incorrect; it should be '他作为一个好学生很努力' without 则.

Write 则

则

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 则

则 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 12 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons6
则…则则 + [V] + 则 + [V]
HSK 3

Used to express a conditional or contrasting relationship.

他如果喜欢，我则支持。

tā rúguǒ xǐhuān, wǒ zé zhīchí.

If he likes it, then I will support it.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我要认真复习，否____考试会不及格的。

I need to review seriously; otherwise, I'll fail the exam.

Usage Notes for 则

Use of 则 in contrastsGrammar Tip

则 is often used to create contrasts between two clauses, emphasizing the relationship.

1

如果你去，我则不去。

If you go, then I will not go.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

如果你去，我____不去。

If you go, then I will not go.

Example Sentences for 则 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
除非是直接被击中，否则这个地下掩体是非常安全的。

chú fēi shì zhí jiē bèi jī zhōng， ， fǒu zé zhè gè dì xià yǎn tǐ shì fēi cháng ān quán。

The dug-outs were secure from everything but a direct hit.
2
该报违反了保护隐私的行为准则。

gāi bào wéi fǎn le bǎo hù yǐn sī de háng wéi zhǔn zé。

The newspaper breached the code of conduct on privacy.
3
这则消息在中东总部引起了不安。

zhè zé xiāo xī zài zhōng dōng zǒng bù yǐn qǐ le bù ān。

This message caused perturbation in the Middle East Headquarters.
4
她这一辈子都恪守这些原则。

tā zhè yī bèi zǐ dū kè shǒu zhè xiē yuán zé。

She has cleaved to these principles all her life.
5
我们张贴了一份房屋生活守则。

wǒ mén zhāng tiē le yī fèn fáng wū shēng huó shǒu zé。

We post up a set of rules for the house.
6
他宁愿一枪打死自己也不愿违背自己的原则。

tā níng yuàn yī qiāng dǎ sǐ zì jǐ yě bù yuàn wéi bèi zì jǐ de yuán zé。

He would rather shoot himself than compromise his principles.
7
他让我们纠正错误，否则后果自负。

tā ràng wǒ mén jiū zhèng cuò wù， ， fǒu zé hòu guǒ zì。

He told us to put it right, or else.
8
“别作声，否则他们全都出来了，”他们警告他。

“ “ bié zuò， shēng ， fǒu zé tā mén quán dū chū，” lái le ，” tā mén。

"Keep quiet, or they'll all come out," they warned him.
9
狗喜欢在泥水洼里扑腾，河马则喜欢在其中打滚撒欢儿。

gǒu xǐ huān zài ní shuǐ wā lǐ pū téng， ， hé mǎ zé xǐ huān zài qí zhōng dǎ gǔn sā huān。

Dogs love splashing in mud and hippos wallow in it.
10
普利茅斯海洋研究所的科学家一半有学士学位，另一半则有博士学位。

pǔ lì máo sī hǎi yáng yán jiū suǒ de kē xué jiā yī bàn yǒu xué shì xué wèi， ， lìng yī bàn zé yǒu bó shì xué。

Half of PML's scientists have first degrees, the other half have PhDs.

Cultural Notes for 则

💡Did you know?

In Chinese literature, the character 则 has been used extensively to express moral principles and standards. It emphasizes the importance of following norms or imitating good examples, which is a significant aspect of Confucian teachings.

Word Family of 则

Compounds7
测ce4side
厕ce4variant of 廁
侧ce4the side
恻ce4anguished; sympathetic
铡zha2a sickle used to cut grass or hay
鲗zei2cuttlefish
荝
Words Containing This Character20
则zéthen則
否则fǒuzéif not否則
规则guīzérule規則
原则yuánzéprinciple原則
准则zhǔnzénorm準則
法则law法則
守则rules守則
细则bylaws細則
不规则irregular不規則
原则上in principle原則上
实则actually實則
以身作则yǐshēnzuòzéto set an example (idiom); to serve as a model以身作則
武则天Wu Zetian (624-705), Tang empress, reigned 690-705武則天
通则general rule通則
原则性principled原則性
四项基本原则the Four Cardinal Principles enunciated by Deng Xiaoping 鄧小平|邓小平[Dèng​Xiǎo​píng] in 1979: to uphold the socialist road, the dictatorship of the proletariat, the leadership of the CPC, and Maoism and Marxism-Leninism四項基本原則
附则bylaw附則
然则then然則
和平共处五项原则Zhou Enlai's Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence和平共處五項原則
总则profile總則
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 测 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 则

Examples of 则 (zé) in sentences include: '你喜欢吃水果，则我给你带些苹果' (You like to eat fruit, so I'll bring you some apples) and '如果你不努力，则你不会成功' (If you don't work hard, then you won't succeed). These illustrate its use in contrasting and conditional statements.

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