Definitions
(noun)
rule; regulation
(noun)
compass
(verb)
to plan; to scheme
Etymology
About
The character '规' derives from its traditional counterpart '規', structurally combining '夫' denoting 'man' and '見' for 'to see', a composition that implies human oversight or measurement, with its earliest significance being that of a compass for drafting circles, a tool inherently embodying precision and boundary-setting. This tangible reference gradually broadened to encompass abstract principles of rules, norms, and standards, thereby transitioning from a physical instrument to a conceptual framework for order and correctness, where it came to signify both established regulations and the act of advising or planning according to such norms. The modern form '规' simplifies the right component to '见' while preserving the essential idea, and across its historical usage, the character's semantic progression from a geometric device to a term for regulatory precepts demonstrates a linguistic pattern where concrete objects give rise to governing abstractions.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们必须遵守规定。
游戏有明确的规则。
他的行为很规范。
这个工厂规模很大。
政府规划了新的公园。
孩子要懂规矩。
根据规章制度，我们不能迟到。
为了规范市场行为，政府制定了一系列法规。