zūnshǒu: 遵守 - To Abide By, Comply With, Observe

• Keywords: zunshou, 遵守, zūnshǒu, comply in Chinese, abide by in Chinese, follow the rules in Chinese, zunshou guize, zunshou falu, Chinese for observe laws, Chinese verb for follow rules
• Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of the essential Chinese verb 遵守 (zūnshǒu), which means “to abide by,” “comply with,” or “observe.” This guide explores how to use 遵守 when talking about following rules, laws, regulations, and promises in China. Discover its cultural importance, see practical examples, and understand how it differs from similar English and Chinese words.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zūnshǒu
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To formally follow or adhere to rules, laws, regulations, or agreements.
• In a Nutshell: 遵守 (zūnshǒu) is the go-to word for expressing compliance with established systems. Think of it as the formal way to say you're “playing by the book.” It carries a sense of duty, responsibility, and respect for order. You 遵守 traffic rules, company policy, and legal contracts—not casual advice from a friend.

• 遵 (zūn): To follow, to obey, to act in accordance with. The 辶 radical (on the left, squashed) means “to walk” or “movement,” suggesting following a path or a standard.
• 守 (shǒu): To guard, to keep, to defend. The character is a simplified picture of a hand guarding a building (the 宀 radical at the top means “roof”). It implies protecting and maintaining something.

When combined, 遵守 (zūnshǒu) literally means “to follow and guard.” This powerful combination implies not just passively obeying a rule, but actively upholding and maintaining it, ensuring it isn't broken.

遵守 (zūnshǒu) is a cornerstone of social order in Chinese culture, which traditionally places a high value on harmony, stability, and collectivism. Adhering to established rules—whether they are national laws, company regulations, or even family expectations—is seen as a fundamental civic and personal virtue. It's about fulfilling your role and contributing to the smooth functioning of the group. A useful comparison is with the English concept of “compliance.” While “compliance” in a Western context can sometimes feel like a reluctant necessity or bureaucratic red tape, 遵守 (zūnshǒu) often carries a more positive and proactive connotation. It is linked to being a responsible citizen, a trustworthy business partner, and a reliable person. It reflects the idea that society functions best when everyone agrees to follow a shared set of guidelines for the greater good, rather than prioritizing individualistic deviation. This is a subtle but important difference from Western cultures that may place a higher value on questioning authority and challenging established norms.

遵守 (zūnshǒu) is a formal word used frequently in written and spoken Chinese, especially in official or serious contexts.

• Legal and Civic Contexts: This is its most common use. You 遵守 laws (法律), rules (规则), and regulations (规定). It's the language of traffic signs, legal documents, and public service announcements.
• Business and Professional Settings: In the workplace, employees are expected to 遵守 company policy (公司制度), safety procedures (安全规程), and contract terms (合同条款). It implies professionalism and reliability.
• Personal Commitments: It can also be used for serious personal commitments, like to 遵守 a promise (诺言) or an agreement (协议). This usage elevates the promise to a level of a formal rule.

Its connotation is almost always neutral to positive. Someone who 遵守纪律 (zūnshǒu jìlǜ), “abides by discipline,” is seen as reliable and respectable.

• Example 1:
  • 我们都应该遵守交通规则。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen dōu yīnggāi zūnshǒu jiāotōng guīzé.
  • English: We should all abide by the traffic rules.
  • Analysis: A classic, everyday example. 遵守 is the standard verb used for following rules (规则).
• Example 2:
  • 作为公民，我们必须遵守国家法律。
  • Pinyin: Zuòwéi gōngmín, wǒmen bìxū zūnshǒu guójiā fǎlǜ.
  • English: As citizens, we must observe the country's laws.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the formal and civic nature of 遵守. It's used here with 法律 (fǎlǜ - law).
• Example 3:
  • 他是一个信守诺言的人，总是遵守自己的承诺。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì yīgè xìnshǒu nuòyán de rén, zǒngshì zūnshǒu zìjǐ de chéngnuò.
  • English: He is a person who keeps his word, always abiding by his own promises.
  • Analysis: This shows 遵守 can apply to personal commitments (承诺 - chéngnuò), lending them a sense of gravity.
• Example 4:
  • 所有员工都必须严格遵守公司的安全规定。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu yuángōng dōu bìxū yángé zūnshǒu gōngsī de ānquán guīdìng.
  • English: All employees must strictly comply with the company's safety regulations.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence you would see in a company handbook. Note the adverb 严格 (yángé - strictly) often modifies 遵守.
• Example 5:
  • 如果你不遵守合同，你可能需要支付违约金。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ bù zūnshǒu hétóng, nǐ kěnéng xūyào zhīfù wéiyuējīn.
  • English: If you don't abide by the contract, you may need to pay a penalty for breach of contract.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the negative consequence of failing to 遵守 a formal agreement (合同 - hétóng).
• Example 6:
  • 运动员必须遵守比赛纪律。
  • Pinyin: Yùndòngyuán bìxū zūnshǒu bǐsài jìlǜ.
  • English: Athletes must observe the discipline of the competition.
  • Analysis: Here, 遵守 is paired with 纪律 (jìlǜ - discipline), common in sports, military, and school contexts.
• Example 7:
  • 进入实验室前，请仔细阅读并遵守所有守则。
  • Pinyin: Jìnrù shíyànshì qián, qǐng zǐxì yuèdú bìng zūnshǒu suǒyǒu shǒuzé.
  • English: Before entering the lab, please carefully read and adhere to all the rules.
  • Analysis: 守则 (shǒuzé) means “rules” or “code of conduct,” a perfect object for the verb 遵守.
• Example 8:
  • 他因为没有遵守时间而错过了重要的会议。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi méiyǒu zūnshǒu shíjiān ér cuòguòle zhòngyào de huìyì.
  • English: He missed the important meeting because he didn't adhere to the schedule.
  • Analysis: 遵守时间 (zūnshǒu shíjiān) is a common collocation meaning “to be punctual” or “to stick to the schedule.”
• Example 9:
  • 虽然有些传统习俗很复杂，但老一辈人仍然坚持遵守。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán yǒuxiē chuántǒng xísú hěn fùzá, dàn lǎo yī bèi rén réngrán jiānchí zūnshǒu.
  • English: Although some traditional customs are complex, the older generation still insists on observing them.
  • Analysis: This shows 遵守 can be used for customs (习俗 - xísú) and traditions (传统 - chuántǒng).
• Example 10:
  • 请遵守公共秩序，不要大声喧哗。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng zūnshǒu gōnggòng zhìxù, bùyào dàshēng xuānhuá.
  • English: Please maintain public order and don't be loud.
  • Analysis: 遵守公共秩序 (zūnshǒu gōnggòng zhìxù) is a set phrase you'll hear in public places like libraries, museums, and train stations.

A common mistake for learners is using 遵守 (zūnshǒu) in informal situations where a different verb is more appropriate.

• 遵守 (zūnshǒu) vs. 听 (tīng):
  • 遵守 is for rules, laws, and abstract principles.
  • 听 (tīng), meaning “to listen to,” is for people's advice, orders, or suggestions.
  • Incorrect: `我应该遵守我妈妈的话。` (Wǒ yīnggāi zūnshǒu wǒ māma de huà.)
  • Correct: `我应该听我妈妈的话。` (Wǒ yīnggāi tīng wǒ māma de huà.) → I should listen to what my mom says.
• 遵守 (zūnshǒu) vs. 跟 (gēn):
  • 遵守 is for abstract compliance.
  • 跟 (gēn) means to physically “follow” someone or something.
  • Incorrect: `请遵守导游。` (Qǐng zūnshǒu dǎoyóu.)
  • Correct: `请跟导游走。` (Qǐng gēn dǎoyóu zǒu.) → Please follow the tour guide.

Think of it this way: You 遵守 the rules the tour guide sets, but you 跟 the tour guide herself.

• 服从 (fúcóng) - To obey. More focused on submitting to a person or an authority figure (e.g., a soldier obeys an officer). It implies a clearer power dynamic than 遵守.
• 遵循 (zūnxún) - To follow; to abide by. Very similar to 遵守, but often used for more abstract things like principles, logic, or a course of action. It's slightly more literary.
• 违背 (wéibèi) - To violate; to go against. A common antonym for 遵守, often used for violating principles, one's conscience, or promises.
• 违反 (wéifǎn) - To violate; to infringe. A strong, formal antonym for 遵守, used specifically for breaking laws, rules, and regulations.
• 守法 (shǒufǎ) - To be law-abiding (adjective or verb phrase). Literally “to guard the law.” A person who always 遵守法律 is a 守法公民 (shǒufǎ gōngmín - a law-abiding citizen).
• 规则 (guīzé) - Rule; regulation. The most common thing that one 遵守s.
• 纪律 (jìlǜ) - Discipline. The set of rules governing behavior in an organization like a school or the army.
• 合同 (hétóng) - Contract. A formal agreement that parties must 遵守.