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遵循 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
遵循zūnxúnto followHSK 7, v, 27 strokes, rank #9593, Very Hard
遵循zūnxúnto abide byHSK 7, v, 27 strokes, rank #9593, Very Hard
遵循zūnxúnto comply withHSK 7, v, 27 strokes, rank #9593, Very Hard
遵循zūnxúncomplianceHSK 7, v, 27 strokes, rank #9593, Very Hard
zūnxún(zun1xun2) T1
  1. 1to follow
  2. 2to abide by
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March 24, 2026

遵循zūnxún(zun1xun2)

遵循 (zūn xún) means to follow, abide by, or comply with rules, principles, or guidelines. It is often used in formal contexts such as legal, organizational, or ethical discussions, emphasizing adherence to established norms or instructions.

Strokes27Frequency#9593DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, there is a strong emphasis on harmony and respect for rules, whether in family, society, or business. 遵循 reflects this cultural value, as it is seen as virtuous to comply with established norms and expectations.

Memory Tip

Imagine a wise scholar (遵) standing by a set of intricate rules (循) like a path, following them diligently. The character 遵 resembles a person following a path, and xun sounds like 'tune,' suggesting you must tune your actions to the rules.

Meanings of 遵循

zūnxún(zun1xun2)
1to follow
2to abide by
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 遵循

遵循Simplified
27Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9593Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 遵循

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Podcast: 遵循

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AI Study Notes for 遵循

Quick Contrast

遵守 (zūn shǒu) - use 遵循 when emphasizing the process of following established guidelines, while 遵守 focuses more on compliance with laws or regulations.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 遵循 with just 'follow' (跟随), as 遵循 implies a deeper level of compliance. It is used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 遵循法律 (abide by the law) and 遵循规定 (follow regulations).

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 6 word, 遵循 connects with other advanced vocabulary that deals with compliance and regulation. Focus on its usage in formal writing and speech to better understand its context. Practicing with sentences involving rules and regulations can enhance retention.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 遵循 with the more casual term 跟随, which means simply to follow. For example, saying '我遵循我的朋友' (I follow my friend) is incorrect; it should be '我跟随我的朋友'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 遵循

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Component Characters

遵zūnto observe
15 strokes辶
View full entry
循xúnto follow
HSK 712 strokes彳
View full entry

How to say to follow in Chinese

“to follow” in Chinese is遵循zūnxún

遵循 (zūn xún) means to follow, abide by, or comply with rules, principles, or guidelines. It is often used in formal contexts such as legal, organizational, or ethical discussions, emphasizing adherence to established norms or instructions.

When to use 遵循

Be careful not to confuse 遵循 with just 'follow' (跟随), as 遵循 implies a deeper level of compliance. It is used in formal situations, so avoid using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 遵循法律 (abide by the law) and 遵循规定 (follow regulations).

遵循 or something close to it

遵守 (zūn shǒu) - use 遵循 when emphasizing the process of following established guidelines, while 遵守 focuses more on compliance with laws or regulations.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 遵循 with the more casual term 跟随, which means simply to follow. For example, saying '我遵循我的朋友' (I follow my friend) is incorrect; it should be '我跟随我的朋友'.

Write 遵循

遵
循

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

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Grammar Patterns of 遵循

遵循 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.

Exercise 1 of 1

Complete the Sentence

第81节列出了接受礼物后应该____的规定。

Paragraph 81 sets out the rules that should apply if a gift is accepted.

Example Sentences for 遵循 (1)

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1
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.

Frequently Asked Questions about 遵循

Some synonyms include 遵守 (zūn shǒu), which also means to abide by, and 遵照 (zūn zhào), meaning to follow or adhere to instructions.

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