Writing
则 (zé) — how to say "rule" in Chinese
则
Rule, then, but
conjunction · particle · noun measure word
1. then; in that case; while; butHSK 3.0 · level 6
conjunction
2. as for; indeed (emphatic particle)HSK 3.0 · level 7-9
particle
3. item; paragraph; ruleHSK 3.0 · level 7-9
noun measure word
How to use it
Goes between a number (or 这/那) and the noun; a number can't attach to a noun without it.
这则新闻很重要。
zhè zé xīn wén hěn zhòng yào
This piece of news is very important.
Radicals / Keys
刀
Knife
#18 · dāo · 2 strokes
Collocations
一则消息
yì zé xiāo xi
a message
一则新闻
yì zé xīn wén
a news item
Examples
他喜欢安静的乡村生活，而我则更喜欢热闹的城市。
He likes quiet rural life, while I, on the other hand, prefer a bustling city.
欲速则不达。
More haste, less speed.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say "rule" in Chinese?
"rule" in Chinese is 则 (zé).
则 meaning in English
则 (zé) means "Rule, then, but".
则 pronunciation
It is pronounced zé (written as ze). You can listen to the pronunciation on this page.
Ze in Chinese character
It is written 则 and has 6 strokes. The Writing section above animates the stroke order and lets you trace it.
What HSK level is 则?
则 belongs to the HSK 5 vocabulary list.
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Grammar with 则
除非 — unless
除非 (chúfēi) + Condition, 才 (cái) + Result / 否则 (fǒuzé) + Negative Result
以 为 — take as, regard as
以 (yǐ) + Noun 1 + 为 (wèi) + Noun 2
假使 — if… then…
假使 (jiǎshǐ) + Condition, 则 (zé) / 就 (jiù) + Result
则 — contrast, “whereas”
Topic A + 则 (zé) + Comment / Verb
幸亏 — fortunately
幸亏 (xìngkuī) / 幸好 (xìnghǎo) / 好在 (hǎozài) + Subj. + Verb Phrase; 幸亏 (xìngkuī) / 幸好 (xìnghǎo) + ..., 不然 (bùrán) / 否则 (fǒuzé) + bad result
本着 — in line with, on the basis of
Subject + 本着 (běnzhe) + Noun (principle/guideline) + Verb