遵照 means to follow instructions or rules formally.
Use it when strict adherence is required.
Common in official, legal, or medical contexts.
It implies obedience to established guidelines.
Meaning
To act in accordance with; to follow; to obey. This word implies a formal or serious adherence to instructions, rules, or guidelines.
Usage Context
It is often used in formal settings, official documents, legal contexts, and when referring to following established procedures or directives. It suggests a strong sense of obligation and compliance.
We must 遵照 the company's regulations.
The pilot will 遵照 the air traffic controller's instructions.
Formal Context
In official announcements, you might see phrases like '请遵照指示' (Please follow the instructions) or '遵照合同条款' (In accordance with the contract terms). This highlights its use in official and legally binding contexts.
Everyday Compliance
While formal, it can also be used in less official but still serious situations, such as a doctor telling a patient to '遵照医嘱' (follow the doctor's orders) for medication. This emphasizes the importance of adhering to advice for one's well-being.
Legal and Bureaucratic Language
This term is prevalent in legal documents, government regulations, and administrative procedures. For instance, '遵照法律规定' means 'in compliance with legal provisions.' It signifies strict adherence to established norms and laws.
Instructions and Directives
When someone gives you specific instructions that must be followed precisely, 遵照 is the appropriate verb. For example, '请遵照以下步骤操作' (Please operate in accordance with the following steps) is a common instruction in technical manuals or training materials.
The committee will 遵照 the established procedures for the election.
Subject + 遵照 + Object
This is the most common structure. The subject is the entity performing the action of following, and the object is what is being followed (rules, instructions, etc.).
公司必须 遵照 劳动法。
The company must comply with labor laws.
遵照 + Object + Verb
Sometimes, especially in more formal or written contexts, the object is placed before the verb, emphasizing what is being followed.
请 遵照 医嘱服药。
Please take the medicine according to the doctor's orders.
This pattern is common when describing how an action or process should be executed.
全体员工需 遵照 公司规定进行工作。
All employees must work in accordance with company regulations.
In imperative sentences
It is often used in commands or requests.
请 遵照 操作手册。
Please follow the operation manual.
我们应该 遵照 客户的要求。
We should act in accordance with the client's requirements.
In passive-like constructions (though Chinese doesn't have true passive voice)
The focus might be on the object being followed.
所有文件都已 遵照 格式要求准备好。
All documents have been prepared in accordance with the format requirements.
Official Announcements and Meetings
In formal business settings, government briefings, or any official gathering where directives are given, you will frequently hear '请遵照指示' (Please follow the instructions) or '遵照会议精神' (in accordance with the spirit of the meeting). This is a standard phrase for ensuring compliance with decisions made.
Legal and Contractual Discussions
When discussing legal documents, contracts, or agreements, '遵照合同条款' (in accordance with the contract terms) or '遵照法律规定' (in compliance with legal provisions) are common. This emphasizes the binding nature of these documents.
Medical Advice
Doctors often advise patients to '遵照医嘱' (follow the doctor's orders) regarding medication or treatment. This is a crucial phrase for health and well-being, stressing the importance of adherence.
Technical Manuals and Instructions
In user manuals, assembly instructions, or operational guides, you'll find phrases like '请遵照步骤操作' (Please operate according to the steps) or '遵照图纸进行安装' (Install in accordance with the diagram). This ensures that the product is used or assembled correctly.
Military and Police Contexts
In hierarchical organizations like the military or police, obedience to orders is paramount. You'll hear directives like '遵照命令' (obey the order) frequently.
Educational Settings (Formal)
When teachers are explaining procedures for assignments or exams, they might say, '请遵照考试规定' (Please adhere to the exam regulations) or '遵照评分标准完成作业' (Complete the assignment according to the grading criteria).
The flight attendants asked passengers to 遵照 safety instructions.
Using 遵照 for casual agreement
Mistake: Using 遵照 when a simpler verb like '同意' (agree) or '听从' (listen to, follow advice casually) would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我遵照你的想法' (I follow your idea) when you simply mean 'I agree with your idea.' This sounds too formal and rigid for casual conversation.
Incorrect Object Placement
Mistake: Placing the object of 遵照 incorrectly, or omitting it when it's crucial. For instance, saying '我遵照了' without specifying what was followed. While context might sometimes imply it, it's usually better to be explicit. Also, placing a verb directly after 遵照 without an intervening object can be grammatically awkward.
Confusing with Similar Words
Mistake: Confusing 遵照 with words like '遵守' (shǒuzhōng - to abide by, observe) or '遵循' (zūnxún - to follow, to abide by). While related, 遵照 often carries a stronger sense of direct instruction or command from an authority. 遵守 is more about adhering to rules or principles generally, and 遵循 can be slightly more literary or abstract.
Overusing in informal speech
Mistake: Using 遵照 in casual conversations with friends or family when a less formal verb would suffice. For example, telling a friend '我遵照你的建议去做了' (I acted according to your suggestion) when '我听了你的建议' (I listened to your suggestion) or '我按你说的做了' (I did as you said) would sound more natural.
Grammatical Errors with Modifiers
Mistake: Incorrectly placing adverbs or other modifiers. For example, trying to say '我遵照了好好地' (I followed well) is not standard. Modifiers typically precede the verb phrase in Chinese, so one might say '我好好地遵照了...' or more naturally, '我严格遵照了...' (I strictly followed...).
Incorrect: 我遵照了你的想法。
Correct: 我同意你的想法。
遵照 (zūnzhào) vs. 遵守 (zūnshǒu)
遵照: Implies following specific instructions, orders, or directives, often from an authority. It's about acting in direct accordance with what has been explicitly stated or commanded.
遵守: More general. It means to abide by, observe, or comply with rules, laws, regulations, or principles. It suggests adherence to a set of established norms or standards, often without a direct, specific command for each instance.
Example for 遵照:
请 遵照 医生的指示服药。
(Please take the medicine according to the doctor's instructions.)
Example for 遵守:
我们必须 遵守 交通规则。
(We must abide by traffic rules.)
遵照 (zūnzhào) vs. 遵循 (zūnxún)
遵照: Similar to above, emphasizes direct adherence to specific instructions or orders.
遵循: Often used for following a path, principle, tradition, or a more abstract guideline. It can be used for instructions but also for following a certain way of doing things or a belief system. It can sometimes sound more literary or philosophical than 遵照.
Example for 遵照:
请 遵照 示例格式填写表格。
(Please fill out the form in accordance with the example format.)
Example for 遵循:
他 遵循 了祖先的教诲。
(He followed the teachings of his ancestors.)
遵照 (zūnzhào) vs. 按照 (ànzhào)
遵照: More formal, implies following specific directives or commands from an authority.
按照: A more general and common term meaning 'according to' or 'in accordance with.' It can be used for instructions, plans, standards, or even personal habits. It is less formal than 遵照 and can be used in a wider range of contexts.
Example for 遵照:
请 遵照 公司的指示。
(Please follow the company's instructions.)
Example for 按照:
我们 按照 计划进行。
(We are proceeding according to the plan.)
遵照 (zūnzhào) vs. 听从 (tīngcóng)
遵照: Formal, implies strict adherence to instructions or commands.
听从: Less formal, means to listen to and obey or follow advice, suggestions, or instructions. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts but is generally softer than 遵照.
Example for 遵照:
请 遵照 警方的指示。
(Please follow the police's instructions.)
Example for 听从:
他 听从 了我的建议。
(He followed my advice.)
Fun Fact
The character 照 (zhào) itself can also mean 'to look after' or 'to care for,' adding a layer of responsibility to the act of following instructions. When you 遵照 something, you are not just passively following, but actively ensuring that you are acting in accordance with it, almost as if you are 'illuminating' your actions by its example.
Pronunciation Guide
UK/tsuːnˈtʃaʊ/
US/tsuːnˈtʃaʊ/
The stress is on the second syllable: zūnzhào.
Rhymes With
àojiàoxiàotiàoguàoyàoràoniào
Common Errors
Mispronouncing the 'zh' sound, making it too much like 'j' or 'z'.
Not distinguishing the 'un' and 'ao' vowel sounds clearly.
Incorrect tone placement, as Chinese tones are crucial for meaning.
Imagine a 'zun' (like 'soon') person who always 'zhao' (like 'show') you the right way to follow rules. Or, think of a 'zūn' (soon) to be honored person who always follows the 'zhào' (show) of the law.
Visual Association
Picture a strict teacher (zun) holding up a sign (zhao) with rules written on it, and students diligently following the sign.
Try to use 遵照 in three sentences describing how you would follow instructions for a new gadget, a recipe, and a formal work task. Ensure each sentence clearly states what you are following.
Word Origin
The word '遵照' is a compound word formed by two characters: 遵 (zūn) and 照 (zhào). Both characters have meanings related to following or conforming. 遵 originally meant to follow and respect, often in the context of elders or superiors. 照 meant to shine, illuminate, or to make known; in a figurative sense, it came to mean to follow or act according to something that is made clear or illuminated.
Original meaning: The combination implies acting according to something that is clearly presented or instructed, respecting and following it.
Sino-Tibetan
Cultural Context
In English-speaking cultures, while rules and instructions are important, the emphasis might be more on understanding the 'why' behind them or on personal interpretation, especially in informal contexts. The direct command to 'act in accordance with' a specific directive is present but might be phrased differently and with varying degrees of formality.
遵照 (zūnzhào) is a formal verb meaning 'to act in accordance with' or 'to follow' specific instructions, rules, or directives. It's used when strict adherence to guidelines, orders, or established procedures is required, particularly in official, legal, medical, or technical contexts.
遵照 means to follow instructions or rules formally.
