Hanzi
Traditional
則
Simplified
则

(literary) (conjunction used to express contrast with a previous clause) but; then/(bound form) standard; norm/(bound form) principle/(literary) to imitate; to follow/classifier for written items

Hanzi

Grade

Grade 4

Pinyin

zé

Bopomofo

ㄗㄜˊ

Jyutping

zak1

Example sentences

則 / 则 zé
學習不進則退。
学习不进则退。

In studying, if you do not advance, you will retreat.

報刊 / 报刊 bàokān
他在報刊上登了一則廣告。
他在报刊上登了一则广告。

He placed an advertisement in the newspapers and periodicals.

原則 / 原则 yuánzé
做人要有原則。
做人要有原则。

One must have principles in life.

不光 bùguāng
這不光是錢的問題，更是原則問題。
这不光是钱的问题，更是原则问题。

This is not only a question of money, but even more a question of principle.

否則 / 否则 fǒuzé
你必須現在出發，否則會遲到。
你必须现在出发，否则会迟到。

You must leave now, otherwise you will be late.

加快 jiākuài
我們必須加快腳步，否則趕不上火車。
我们必须加快脚步，否则赶不上火车。

We must speed up our pace, or we won't catch the train.

規則 / 规则 guīzé
大家必須遵守交通規則。
大家必须遵守交通规则。

Everyone must follow the traffic rules.

必須 / 必须 bìxū
我們必須遵守規則。
我们必须遵守规则。

We must follow the rules.

守則 / 守则 shǒuzé
新生請先閱讀宿舍守則，免得打擾別人。
新生请先阅读宿舍守则，免得打扰别人。

New students should first read the dormitory rules so they do not disturb others.

法則 / 法则 fǎzé
老師用蘋果落地的例子說明自然法則。
老师用苹果落地的例子说明自然法则。

The teacher used the example of an apple falling to explain a natural law.

Example Vocabulary

則

ze2

conjunction used to express cause and effect (then, consequently); standard; norm; criterion

原則

yuan2'ze2

principle

否則

fou3'ze2

otherwise; if not; or else

規則

gui1'ze2

rule; regulation

不規則

bu4'gui1'ze2

守則

shou3'ze2

rules; code of conduct

實則

武則天

wu3'ze2'tian1

法則

fa3'ze2

law; rule; principle

不平則鳴

bu4'ping2'ze2'ming2

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