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随从 (suí cóng) — to accompany (a superior); to attend

Definition

随从 is a formal verb meaning to attend or accompany a superior (a boss, emperor, VIP) — implies a position of subordination, not equals traveling together. As a noun it refers to the attendants/entourage themselves.

verb
to accompany (a superior)to attend

Examples

  • 随从。
    Tā zuò wéi zhù shǒu suí cóng lǎo bǎn cān jiā huì yì.
    He accompanied the boss to the meeting as an assistant.
  • 随从。
    Zhè wèi mì shū jīng cháng suí cóng zǒng jīng lǐ chū chāi.
    This secretary often accompanies the general manager on business trips.
  • ，随从。
    Zài gǔ dài, dà chén men huì suí cóng huáng dì chū xún.
    In ancient times, ministers would accompany the emperor on tours.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
联合liánhéCoordinate

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

随suífollow
从cóngobey

随 and 从 both mean follow, so together they describe accompanying someone or the people who follow.

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.

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.

Open 随 →

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 從; 从 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
辵辵chuòwalk
Sound part声符shēngfú
从
从cóng從cóng
Same sound today

The traditional form 從 pairs 辵 (walk) with 从, which gives the sound; the character was originally written 从.

Open 从 →
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