遵 (zūn) — to abide by, obey, observe (used as a bound morpheme in formal compounds)

Definition

遵 is a bound morpheme meaning 'to follow/obey,' used only in formal compounds like 遵守, 遵循, and 遵照. Pair it with 守 (laws), 循 (principles/courses), or 照 (instructions) depending on what is being followed.

bound form
to abide byobeyobserve (used as a bound morpheme in formal compounds)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 。
    Wǒ men dōu yào zūn shǒu fǎ lǜ.
    We all must abide by the law.
  • 。
    Zhè ge jì huà bì xū zūn xún kē xué yuán zé.
    This plan must follow scientific principles.
  • 。
    Qǐng yán gé zūn zhào cāo zuò shǒu cè.
    Please strictly comply with the operation manual.

Origin

Sound + meaning
六书liùshū
形声xíngshēng

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
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
尊
尊zūn遵zūn
Same sound today

遵 shows 辵, “walk,” beside 尊, an offering of a vessel of wine; the respect in 尊 is linked to obeying.

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