kwai1 zak1規則规则
Jyutpingkwai1 zak1
Yalekwāi jāk
Definition
Rules or regulations; guidelines outlining what is permitted, forbidden, and the procedures to follow.
neutralworkother
How it's used
Refers specifically to formal or established protocols for games, sports, or organizational procedures. While it translates to rule, it is less common in casual conversation than 規矩, which often carries a stronger sense of social norms, etiquette, or personal house rules.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
You must follow the rules when playing the game.
What rules do I need to pay attention to for this competition?
Related words
Common phrases
traffic regulations
to follow the rules
to break the rules
Common mistake
Avoid using this for personal habits or social etiquette where 規矩 is the more natural choice. Using 規則 for social manners can sound overly clinical or like you are describing a legal code.
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.
