随 (suí) — to follow (physically or in sequence); to comply with, to go along with; to vary according to, to depend on
Definition
随 covers both 'follow' (in sequence or along with) and 'vary according to' (随…变化). 比 遵循 more colloquial and general, and unlike 跟随 implies a flexible, shifting match rather than sustained tracking.
verb
to follow (physically or in sequence)to comply withto go along withto vary according toto depend on
Examples
- ，随。Nǐ zǒu màn yì diǎn, wǒ suí nǐ yì qǐ zǒu.Walk a bit slower, I'll go with you.
- 随。Zhè jiàn shì suí tā de yì si bàn ba.Handle this matter according to his wishes.
- 随。Jià gé suí shì chǎng biàn huà ér bō dòng.Prices fluctuate as the market changes.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost 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
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.