verb HSK 5
zūn shǒu
to observe · to abide by · to comply with · to follow

Meaning

遵守 means to obey or follow rules, laws, agreements, or principles. It implies conscientious adherence and respect for established guidelines. This verb is commonly used in formal or semi-formal contexts when discussing compliance with regulations, promises, or social norms.

Usage

遵守 is used with objects like 法律 (laws), 规则 (rules), 纪律 (discipline), 承诺 (promises), or 交通规则 (traffic rules). It carries a tone of responsibility and conscientiousness. Native speakers use it in contexts ranging from everyday rule-following to legal and professional settings. It's more formal than simply saying 听 (to listen/obey).

Examples

  1. 01
    每个公民都应该遵守交通规则。
    Měi gōng mín dōu yīng gāi zūn shǒu jiāo tōng guī .
    Every citizen should obey traffic rules.
  2. 02
    他一直遵守对朋友的承诺。
    zhí zūn shǒu duì péng yǒu de chéng nuò.
    He has always kept his promises to his friends.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 遵守法律
    zūn shǒu
    to obey the law
  • 遵守规则
    zūn shǒu guī
    to follow the rules
  • 遵守纪律
    zūn shǒu
    to observe discipline
  • 遵守承诺
    zūn shǒu chéng nuò
    to keep one's promise

Antonyms

Origin

遵 originally meant 'to follow a path' (with the walking radical 辶), while 守 means 'to guard' or 'to keep watch.' Together they form a compound meaning 'to faithfully follow and maintain' rules or principles.

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