則 (zé) - rule, regulation, law & then, thereupon

則Tone 2

zé ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

悦丈

則 · zé

rule, regulation, law;

then, thereupon;

used as a measure word for articles, items, or sections;

criterion, standard.

rule, regulation, lawthen, thereuponused as a measure word for articles, items,

Usage highlights

Rules and regulationsPrinciplesOtherwiseNews articleNatural lawPenal code

Synonyms

  • 規— regulation, compass
  • 法— law, method
  • 例— example, precedent

Antonyms

  • 亂— chaos, disorder
  • 違— violate, disobey

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Follow the rules (遵守規則).
  • Then he left (則他離開了).
  • This is an article in the newspaper (這是一則新聞).
  • Otherwise, there will be consequences (否則會有後果).

Collocations

  • Rules and regulations(規則)
  • Principles(原則)
  • Otherwise(否則)
  • News article(新聞一則)
  • Natural law(自然法則)
  • Penal code(刑則)

Idioms

  • Take this as a warning(以儆效尤)
  • Precedent for later generations(為後世則)
  • Imitate the good and correct the bad(則善而改)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Derived from ancient inscriptions on bronze vessels, originally depicting a knife carving laws onto a vessel, symbolizing the establishment of rules.
  • In Confucian thought, '則' represents the standards and norms that society and individuals should follow.
  • Used in classical Chinese as a logical connective, meaning 'then' or 'therefore', reflecting a cause-and-effect relationship.

FAQ