Definition
规 is a bound morpheme (粘着语素) that cannot stand alone as a word in modern Chinese. It appears in compounds with two main sense clusters: (1) 'rule, regulation, standard' — as in 规定 (rule, regulation), 规则 (rule), 规模 (scale, scope), 常规 (routine); (2) 'compass, circle-drawing tool' — as in 圆规 (compass); (3) 'advise, admonish' — as in 规劝 (admonish), 规劝 (advise). The core idea is 'standard, pattern, or instrument for drawing circles' — the concrete tool extended metaphorically to rules and norms.
b.f.
(bound morpheme) ruleregulationstandard (in 规定, 规则, 规模)(bound morpheme) compasscircle-drawing instrument (in 圆规)(bound morpheme) admonishadvise (in 规劝)
Examples
- ，。Gōngsī zhìdìng le xīn de guīdìng, quántǐ yuángōng dōu yào zūnshǒu.The company has formulated new regulations, and all employees must abide by them.
- 。Tā yòng yuánguī huà le yí gè wánměi de yuánxíng.He used a compass to draw a perfect circle.
- 。Péngyou yìzhí guīquàn tā bú yào chōngdòng.His friend kept advising him not to act impulsively.
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