服从

• Pinyin: fú cóng
• Hanzi breakdown: 服 = to submit/serve; 从 = to follow

Meaning

To obey; to comply with; to submit to. Following orders or rules.

Used in military, organizational, and hierarchical contexts. Implies accepting authority and following instructions without resistance. Can describe both willing compliance and reluctant submission.

Examples

1. 士兵必须服从上级的命令。 Soldiers must obey their superiors' orders.
2. 少数服从多数是民主的基本原则。 The minority submitting to the majority is a basic principle of democracy.
3. 她不愿意服从不合理的规定。 She was unwilling to comply with unreasonable regulations.

Usage Guide

Context: military, organization, rules

Tone: authoritative

Do Say

• 请服从安排。(Please comply with the arrangements.)
• 他选择服从公司的决定。(He chose to comply with the company's decision.)

Don't Say

• 服从你的建议 (For following suggestions, use 听从 or 采纳 — 服从 implies obeying orders or rules, not suggestions)

Origin & History

Compound of 服 (to submit, serve) + 从 (to follow), meaning to submit and follow.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal