Definitions

(conjunction) then; therefore
(noun) rule; standard; norm; principle

Etymology

Simplified form of . Depicts carving inscriptions on bronzeware () with a knife (). Based on the original meaning "law". In ancient China, some legal writings were inscribed on bronzeware.

About

The character "则", derived from its traditional form "則" which comprises "貝" (shell, currency) and "刀" (knife), originally denoted a standard or rule, likely associated with inscriptions on bronze or legal codes, with its components suggesting the act of cutting or defining value. This nominal meaning evolved over time, and the character gradually took on grammatical functions, becoming a conjunction used to express logical sequence, consequence, or contrast, such as "then" or "however" in classical and modern usage. The simplified form "则" alters the "貝" component to "贝" while keeping the "刂" from "刀", streamlining the graphic form without changing its core linguistic roles.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Mid Spring and Autumn (~600 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

努力学习成绩好。

nǔ lì xué xí zé chéng jì hǎo。

If you study hard, then your grades will be good.

天气冷多穿衣服。

tiān qì lěng zé duō chuān yī fu。

If the weather is cold, then wear more clothes.

他同意我们可以出发。

tā tóng yì zé wǒ men kě yǐ chū fā。

If he agrees, then we can leave.

遵守交通规避免事故。

zūn shǒu jiāo tōng guī zé zé bì miǎn shì gù。

Following traffic rules then avoids accidents.

如果你认为正确请坚持。

rú guǒ nǐ rèn wéi zhèng què zé qǐng jiān chí。

If you think it is correct, then please persist.

经济发达人民生活水平提高。

jīng jì fā dá zé rén mín shēng huó shuǐ píng tí gāo。

When the economy is developed, then people's living standards improve.

从长远来看投资教育国家受益。

cóng cháng yuǎn lái kàn tóu zī jiào yù zé guó jiā shòu yì。

In the long run, investing in education then benefits the country.

鉴于目前的情况我们需要采取紧急措施。

jiàn yú mù qián de qíng kuàng zé wǒ men xū yào cǎi qǔ jǐn jí cuò shī。

Given the current situation, then we need to take emergency measures.