HSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Very Hard
循
xún
to adhere to
HSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Very Hard
循
xún
to abide by
HSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Very Hard
循
xún
to obey, to follow, to comply with
HSK 7, vn, 12 strokes, radical 彳, rank #13902, Very Hard
xún(xun2) T2
1to follow
2to adhere to
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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#13902DifficultyVery Hard
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
Podcast: 循
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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.
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.
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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Drill the tone of 循 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
2The sound half盾 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawaystep
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 循? 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 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?
How to say to follow in Chinese
“to follow” in Chinese is循xún
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.
When to use 循
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.
循 or something close to it
循 (xún) vs 跟 (gēn) — use 循 when emphasizing adherence to rules or principles, while 跟 focuses more on following someone or something physically.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 循
循
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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.
