遵循

• Pinyin: zūn xún
• Hanzi breakdown: 遵 = 辶+ 尊 (movement radical + honour — to follow respectfully); 循 = 彳+ 盾 (step radical + shield — to follow a path)

Meaning

To follow; to abide by; to act in accordance with principles, rules, or guidelines.

A formal verb indicating conscious adherence to established norms, laws, principles, or instructions. More deliberate and principled in tone than simply 遵守 (to comply). Common in academic, legal, scientific, and administrative writing.

Examples

1. 科研工作者在开展研究时，必须严格遵循学术伦理规范，确保研究过程的透明性与公正性。 When conducting research, scientific researchers must strictly follow academic ethics standards to ensure transparency and fairness in the research process.
2. 这项改革方案在设计上遵循了市场经济的基本规律，力求在效率与公平之间寻求合理平衡。 This reform plan was designed in accordance with the basic laws of the market economy, seeking a reasonable balance between efficiency and fairness.
3. 各参赛团队须遵循竞赛规程的相关规定，任何违规行为将导致即时取消参赛资格。 All participating teams must follow the relevant provisions of the competition rules, and any violation will result in immediate disqualification.

Usage Guide

Context: academia, law, science, administration, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 任何国家在处理国际事务时，都应当遵循联合国宪章所确立的基本原则，尊重他国主权与领土完整。(In handling international affairs, every nation should follow the fundamental principles established by the UN Charter and respect other states' sovereignty and territorial integrity.)
• 该企业的经营管理始终遵循以人为本的核心理念，将员工福祉与客户满意度置于优先地位。(The company's management has always followed a people-centred core philosophy, giving priority to employee welfare and customer satisfaction.)

Don't Say

• 我遵循他说的做了 — 遵循 is for principles, rules, or doctrines, not direct personal instructions; use 按照他说的做 or 照他的意思做 for following someone's specific words

Origin & History

遵 (to follow/comply) + 循 (to follow/trace — to abide by in sequence)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal