则 — then

则

zé

then; but, while (lit.); rule

conjunction · HSK 6 · topic “Connectors and particles”

How to pronounce it

则 is read zé. The tone is part of the word: with another melody you get another word, or just a jumble of sounds.

zé — 2nd tonerising, like a surprised “huh?”

How to write it

则

zé — rule; then

Strokes go in order: top to bottom and left to right, horizontal before vertical. Tap a character to open its page, with the strokes shown large and the words it appears in. To train your hand, print a handwriting sheet for “则”.

Examples

Sentences from the course lessons with 则. Tap the sound icon to listen.

赶快走吧，否则来不及了。gǎnkuàizǒuba,fǒuzéláibujíleLet's go, quick, or we won't make it.
我们要加快速度，否则来不及。wǒmenyàojiākuàisùdù,fǒuzéláibujíWe need to speed up, or we won't make it.
你最好承认，否则大家会更生气。nǐzuìhǎochéngrèn,fǒuzédàjiāhuìgèngshēngqìYou'd better admit it, otherwise everyone will be even angrier.
你懂篮球的规则吗？nǐdǒnglánqiúdeguīzémaDo you know the rules of basketball?
比赛的时候要遵守规则bǐsàideshíhouyàozūnshǒuguīzéYou have to follow the rules during a game.
除非下大雨，否则比赛不会取消。chúfēixiàdàyǔ,fǒuzébǐsàibúhuìqǔxiāoThe match won't be canceled unless it rains hard.

More characters by topic — happiness, luck, strength, nature — on the page “Chinese characters with meanings”.

More words from the lesson “Either this or that”

Look up another word in the Chinese–English dictionary: in English, in pinyin or in characters.

Frequently asked questions

What does 则 mean?

则 (zé) means “then; but, while (lit.); rule”.

How do you write 则?

则 is 1 character. The stroke order of each one is shown step by step on this page.

How do you pronounce 则?

则 is read zé. Tones: zé — second tone. The page has a native speaker recording.

“then” in the lesson “Either this or that”

This word is from the topic “Connectors and particles” of HSK 6. In the lesson you hear it in a dialogue, build a sentence with it and say it out loud. Start for free, no sign-up needed.

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