规定

• Pinyin: guī dìng
• Hanzi breakdown: 规 = 夫 (man) + 见 (see) — to observe standards, a compass/rule; 定 = 宀 (roof) + 正 (correct) — to fix in place

Meaning

Regulation; rule; to stipulate. An official requirement or the act of establishing one.

Functions as both a verb (to stipulate/prescribe) and a noun (regulation/rule). Common phrases: 学校规定 (school rules), 按照规定 (according to regulations), 法律规定 (legal provisions). More formal and authoritative than 规则 (rules, as in game rules).

Examples

1. 学校规定学生不能带手机上课。 The school stipulates that students cannot bring phones to class.
2. 按照公司的规定，员工必须穿工作服。 According to company regulations, employees must wear work uniforms.
3. 这里有很多交通规定需要遵守。 There are many traffic rules that need to be followed here.

Usage Guide

Context: rules, law, school, work

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 公司规定九点上班。(The company stipulates that work starts at nine.)
• 请遵守这里的规定。(Please follow the rules here.)

Don't Say

• 我规定今天吃什么。(Don't use 规定 for personal daily decisions — it implies official authority. Say 我决定今天吃什么.)

Origin & History

Compound of 规 (rule/compass) and 定 (to fix/determine). Together they mean 'to set fixed rules' — to stipulate or regulate.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal