Meaning
规则 refers to established principles, standards, or guidelines that govern behavior or procedures. It can mean both formal regulations (like game rules or legal rules) and the quality of being regular or orderly. The word combines 规 (standard, regulation) and 则 (rule, principle).
Usage
Commonly used in formal and informal contexts when discussing rules of games, laws, institutional regulations, or patterns. Can function as a noun ('the rules') or as an adjective ('regular, orderly'). Often appears in phrases like 遵守规则 (follow the rules) or 违反规则 (break the rules). Native speakers use it in everything from casual game-playing to formal legal discussions.
Examples
- 01我们必须遵守交通规则。.We must follow the traffic rules.
- 02这个游戏的规则很简单。.The rules of this game are very simple.
Characters
Measure words
- 条一条规则
- 项几项规则
- 套一套规则
Common collocations
- 遵守规则to follow the rules
- 违反规则to violate the rules
- 游戏规则game rules
- 制定规则to establish rules
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters have ancient origins related to measurement and standards. 规 originally referred to a compass (drawing tool), representing standardization. 则 derives from a knife next to a tripod, symbolizing the carving of laws or principles.