规

槼/規

guī

夫 + 见

Definitions

guī (noun) rule; regulation

guī (noun) compass

guī (verb) to plan; to scheme

Etymology

Simplified form of 規. Depicts a kind of drawing tool for drawing circles with. The 见 (see) component was later added to suggest watching something being drawn. Based on the original meaning "compass; a kind of drawing tool", now written as 椝. The meaning has shifted over time and now means "rules".

Semantic: 见 Phonetic: 夫

About

The simplified character 规 originates from the traditional form 規, combining 夫 (an adult male) with the semantic radical 见 (seeing). Its earliest meaning referred to a drafting compass, a tool used to draw precise circles or measure distances. Because creating a perfect circle requires strict adherence to a fixed radius, the compass became a metaphor for precise standards and procedures. Over time, the character’s meaning extended from the physical tool to abstract concepts: rules, regulations, customs, and the planning or advising that follows established guidelines.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们必须遵守规定。

Wǒmen bìxū zūnshǒu guīdìng.

We must obey the rules.

游戏有明确的规则。

Yóuxì yǒu míngquè de guīzé.

The game has clear rules.

他的行为很规范。

Tā de xíngwéi hěn guīfàn.

His behavior is very standard.

这个工厂规模很大。

Zhège gōngchǎng guīmó hěn dà.

This factory has a large scale.

政府规划了新的公园。

Zhèngfǔ guīhuà le xīn de gōngyuán.

The government planned a new park.

孩子要懂规矩。

Háizi yào dǒng guīju.

Children should understand manners.

根据规章制度，我们不能迟到。

Gēnjù guīzhāng zhìdù, wǒmen bùnéng chídào.

According to the rules and regulations, we cannot be late.

为了规范市场行为，政府制定了一系列法规。

Wèile guīfàn shìchǎng xíngwéi, zhèngfǔ zhìdìng le yī xìliè fǎguī.

In order to standardize market behavior, the government enacted a series of laws and regulations.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 夫

Component: 见

规