Meaning
跟随 means to follow someone or something, either physically accompanying them or adhering to their ideas and guidance. It can describe literal physical following (like walking behind someone) or metaphorical following (like following a leader's philosophy or instructions).
Usage
This is a relatively formal word often used in written Chinese or formal speech. In casual conversation, people more commonly use just 跟 (gēn) for physical following. 跟随 often implies dedication or loyalty when following a person, leader, or principle, and is frequently seen in contexts about disciples following masters, soldiers following commanders, or people following trends.
Examples
- 01学生们跟随老师参观了博物馆。.The students followed the teacher to visit the museum.
- 02他一直跟随父亲的脚步，成为了一名医生。, .He always followed in his father's footsteps and became a doctor.
Characters
Common collocations
- 跟随某人to follow someone
- 一路跟随to follow all the way
- 紧紧跟随to follow closely
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters originally relate to following: 跟 contains the foot radical (足) suggesting physical movement, while 随 suggests going along with or complying. Together they reinforce the meaning of following.