跟随 (gēn suí) — to follow (in a sustained or formal sense) | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

跟随 means to follow someone in a sustained way, often in service or allegiance (e.g. following a leader or path). Lighter than 追随 ('devotedly follow as a disciple or pursuer'); broader than 跟踪 ('tail, shadow').

verb

to follow (in a sustained or formal sense)

Examples

跟随。
Tā yì zhí gēn suí lǎo shī de jiǎo bù xué xí.
He has always followed in the teacher's footsteps in his studies.
跟随。
Zhè ge biàn huà zhí dé gēn suí.
This change is worth following.
跟随。
Wǒ men gēn suí duì wu màn màn qián jìn.
We slowly moved forward following the team.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

跟 and 随 both mean “follow,” so the word expresses going after or staying with someone.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

足足zúfoot

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn跟gēn

Same sound today

跟 is built from 足 (foot) plus 艮. The 足 part ties the character to foot-related senses, while 艮 gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 隨; 随 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

辵辵chuòwalking

Sound part声符shēngfú

𡐦

𡐦𡐦隨suí

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 隨 pairs 辵 (walking) with 𡐦 (the sound part); the simplified 随 is a later shorthand.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 6 HSK 2.0 Level 6

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