规 guī — rules · English

规

guī

rules

At a glance · 规

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Evolution of the glyph

Five stages, from a sketch of the real object to regular script — tap a stage, drag the timeline, or play the animation.

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seen
Oracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCE
Seal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCE
Clerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CE
Regular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

Object sketchBefore writing · drawing what was seenOracle boneShang dynasty · c. 1300–1046 BCESeal scriptQin dynasty · 221–206 BCEClerical scriptHan dynasty · 206 BCE–220 CERegular scriptWei–Jin to Tang · c. 3rd–9th century CE

⚠ Some ancient forms are not attested：oracle bone form、seal script form。No excavated oracle bone / seal artifact is attested for this character yet; we leave it blank rather than fabricate.

「规」从夫从见，金文从夫𡈼声，后从见，形声兼会意。

What the sketch shows

Origins & notes

「规」本义为画圆之器（圆规），引申规则、规劝。

Structure

从夫、从见，会意字，丈夫见而正圆，本为圆规、法度。

At a glance

Pinyinguī

Radical见

Strokes8

UnicodeU+89C4

Character type形声

Theme数术

Six languages, one character

Each page offers hreflang versions; switching language keeps the glyphs and meanings aligned.

English rules rules, regulations, customs, law

Français règle / conseiller Règle, conseiller. «切磨箴规» : les règles et conseils.

Español regla / aconsejar Regla, aconsejar. «切磨箴规»: las reglas y consejos.

العربية قاعدة / ينصح قاعدة، ينصح. «切磨箴规»: القواعد والنصائح.

Русский правило / советовать Правило, советовать. «切磨箴规»: правила и советы.

Common words

规矩guī jǔrule
规则guī zérule

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