ceon4循
Jyutpingceon4
Yalechèuhn
Definition
To abide by, comply with, or follow a certain path or order.
- to abide by; to comply with; to follow
- to follow along; to go along with
writtenother
How it's used
This character is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing mostly in formal idioms or specific compound words. It carries a sense of following a set path, rule, or routine. When you want to express the act of following in everyday speech, use 跟 or 照住 instead.
Examples
You should behave yourself and follow the rules, don't go astray.
Shouldn't you guys follow the routine and check the machine?
Related words
Common phrases
to follow the rules and behave
as a matter of routine
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for the common verb 順, which means to go along with or to be smooth. While 循 implies adherence to a standard or path, 順 is much broader and used for everything from following a direction to agreeing with someone's wishes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
