随着

• Pinyin: suí zhe
• Hanzi breakdown: 随 = 阝(hill) + 有 + 辶 (walk), to follow; 着 = grammatical particle indicating continuation

Meaning

Along with; as; following. Indicates one thing happening in accordance with another.

A preposition used to show that one thing changes or develops in accordance with another. Very common for describing trends, changes over time, or cause-and-effect relationships. Structure: 随着 A, B (As A happens, B follows).

Examples

1. 随着科技的发展，人们的生活方式发生了巨大变化。 With the development of technology, people's lifestyles have changed dramatically.
2. 随着年龄增长，他对很多事情的看法也变了。 As he's gotten older, his views on many things have changed.
3. 随着春天的到来，公园里的花都开了。 With the arrival of spring, the flowers in the park have all bloomed.

Usage Guide

Context: trends, changes, academic

Tone: analytical

Do Say

• 随着时间的推移。(As time goes by.)
• 随着经济发展。(Along with economic development.)

Don't Say

• 随着他，我去商店 — 随着 introduces changing conditions, not physical following; use 跟着 for physical accompaniment

Origin & History

Compound of 随 (to follow) + 着 (progressive marker), meaning following along with.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal