guīdìng: 规定 - Rule, Regulation, To Stipulate

• Keywords: guiding, 规定, Chinese rule, Chinese regulation, what does guiding mean, Chinese law, company policy China, 規定, to stipulate in Chinese, HSK 4 vocabulary
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 规定 (guīdìng), which means 'rule,' 'regulation,' or the verb 'to stipulate.' This page breaks down its meaning, from official laws and company policies to formal requirements. Discover how 规定 (guīdìng) shapes daily life in China, understand its cultural importance, and learn to use it correctly with practical examples, making your Chinese more natural and accurate.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guīdìng
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A rule, regulation, or provision; to set a rule or stipulate something officially.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 规定 (guīdìng) as any kind of “official rule” set by an authority. It's not a casual suggestion; it's a formal requirement from a government, a school, a company, or in a contract. As a noun, it's 'the rule' itself (e.g., “school regulations”). As a verb, it's the action of 'making the rule' (e.g., “the law stipulates”). It carries a strong sense of formality and obligation.

• 规 (guī): This character originally referred to a compass used for drawing circles. By extension, it represents a 'standard', 'rule', or 'regulation'—the idea of setting a perfect, clear boundary for behavior.
• 定 (dìng): This character means 'to decide', 'to fix', or 'to set in place'. It implies stability, certainty, and finality.
• Together, 规定 (guīdìng) literally means “to fix a standard” or “to decide on a rule.” The characters combine to create a powerful sense of a formally established and unchangeable regulation.

In Chinese culture, which often emphasizes social order, harmony, and collective well-being, 规定 (guīdìng) is a foundational concept. It represents the formal framework that ensures society, companies, and institutions function smoothly and predictably. Following the 规定 is not just a legal obligation but is often seen as a social responsibility and a sign of respect for the collective and for authority. A useful comparison is to the English concepts of “regulation” versus “guideline.” In the West, a “regulation” can sometimes have a negative connotation of bureaucratic red tape that can be challenged or worked around. A 规定 (guīdìng), however, carries a much heavier, less negotiable weight. Even when it's a company rule (公司规定), it's often treated with the seriousness one might reserve for “The Law” in the West. This reflects a cultural value where clear rules are seen as essential for preventing chaos (乱 luàn) and maintaining harmony.

规定 (guīdìng) is a formal word used in official contexts. You will encounter it constantly in relation to laws, company policies, school rules, and contractual terms.

• As a Noun (the rule itself): This is its most common usage. It refers to a specific, written rule or a set of rules.
  • `公司的规定` (gōngsī de guīdìng) - Company regulations
  • `学校的规定` (xuéxiào de guīdìng) - School rules
  • `交通规定` (jiāotōng guīdìng) - Traffic regulations
• As a Verb (to set a rule): This is used when an authority establishes a rule. It's common in formal documents and announcements.
  • `法律规定…` (fǎlǜ guīdìng…) - The law stipulates that…
  • `合同规定…` (hétong guīdìng…) - The contract stipulates that…

The word is neutral, but people can complain about a specific 规定 being unfair or unreasonable (这个规定不合理 - zhège guīdìng bù hélǐ).

• Example 1:
  • 按照规定，这里不准停车。
  • Pinyin: Ànzhào guīdìng, zhèlǐ bù zhǔn tíngchē.
  • English: According to the regulations, parking is not allowed here.
  • Analysis: `按照规定` (ànzhào guīdìng) is a very common and formal phrase used to state that an action is based on an existing rule.
• Example 2:
  • 每个公司都有自己的规定。
  • Pinyin: Měi gè gōngsī dōu yǒu zìjǐ de guīdìng.
  • English: Every company has its own regulations.
  • Analysis: Here, 规定 is used as a noun to mean “rules” or “policy” in a business context.
• Example 3:
  • 法律规定，驾驶时必须系好安全带。
  • Pinyin: Fǎlǜ guīdìng, jiàshǐ shí bìxū jì hǎo ānquán dài.
  • English: The law stipulates that you must fasten your seatbelt while driving.
  • Analysis: This shows 规定 used as a verb, meaning “to stipulate” or “to decree.” The subject is an authority (the law).
• Example 4:
  • 这是我们学校的新规定，所有学生都必须遵守。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒmen xuéxiào de xīn guīdìng, suǒyǒu xuéshēng dōu bìxū zūnshǒu.
  • English: This is our school's new regulation; all students must abide by it.
  • Analysis: A classic example of 规定 in an educational setting. Note the use of `遵守` (zūnshǒu), which means “to comply with” or “to obey.”
• Example 5:
  • 合同里清楚地规定了付款日期。
  • Pinyin: Hétong lǐ qīngchǔ de guīdìng le fùkuǎn rìqī.
  • English: The contract clearly stipulates the payment date.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the verb usage in a formal business or legal document (a contract).
• Example 6:
  • 如果你违反了公司规定，你可能会被解雇。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ wéifǎn le gōngsī guīdìng, nǐ kěnéng huì bèi jiěgù.
  • English: If you violate company regulations, you might be fired.
  • Analysis: Shows the consequences of not following a 规定. `违反` (wéifǎn) means “to violate.”
• Example 7:
  • 关于报销，公司有什么特别的规定吗？
  • Pinyin: Guānyú bàoxiāo, gōngsī yǒu shénme tèbié de guīdìng ma?
  • English: Regarding reimbursement, does the company have any special regulations?
  • Analysis: A very practical question for anyone working in a Chinese company.
• Example 8:
  • 这个规定太不合理了，我们应该向经理反映一下。
  • Pinyin: Zhège guīdìng tài bù hélǐ le, wǒmen yīnggāi xiàng jīnglǐ fǎnyìng yīxià.
  • English: This regulation is too unreasonable; we should give feedback to the manager.
  • Analysis: This shows that while 规定 must be followed, it doesn't mean people can't disagree with it or find it unfair.
• Example 9:
  • 政府规定，所有公共场所室内都禁止吸烟。
  • Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ guīdìng, suǒyǒu gōnggòng chǎngsuǒ shìnèi dōu jìnzhǐ xīyān.
  • English: The government stipulates that smoking is prohibited inside all public places.
  • Analysis: A perfect example of a government-mandated rule, where 规定 acts as the verb “to stipulate.”
• Example 10:
  • 我不清楚图书馆的借书规定，你能告诉我吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bù qīngchǔ túshūguǎn de jiè shū guīdìng, nǐ néng gàosù wǒ ma?
  • English: I'm not clear on the library's book-borrowing regulations, can you tell me?
  • Analysis: Shows 规定 in a common, everyday situation that still involves a formal institution (a library).

A frequent point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 规定 from similar words like `规则` and `规矩`.

• 规定 (guīdìng) vs. 规则 (guīzé):
  • 规定 (guīdìng): A top-down, formal rule set by an authority (law, company policy). It's a “regulation” or “stipulation.”
  • 规则 (guīzé): The rules of a system, a game, or a natural pattern. It's about how something works.
  • Incorrect: `国际象棋的规定很难。` (The regulations of chess are hard.)
  • Correct: `国际象棋的规则很难。` (The rules of chess are hard.)
• 规定 (guīdìng) vs. 规矩 (guīju):
  • 规定 (guīdìng): A formal, often written, official rule.
  • 规矩 (guīju): An unwritten social rule, custom, or standard of proper behavior. It's about manners and etiquette.
  • Incorrect: `公司的规矩是九点上班。` (While understandable, it sounds informal. A company policy is official.)
  • Correct: `公司的规定是九点上班。` (The company regulation is to start work at 9.)
  • Correct: `在长辈面前要有规矩。` (You must have good manners in front of elders.) You would never use 规定 here.

• 规则 (guīzé) - Rules (of a game, system, grammar). More general and less about authority than 规定.
• 法律 (fǎlǜ) - Law. The most formal and powerful type of 规定, enforced by the state.
• 政策 (zhèngcè) - Policy. A course of action or principle adopted by a government or organization. A 规定 is often a specific rule that implements a 政策.
• 制度 (zhìdù) - System; institution. Refers to the entire framework of rules and structures (e.g., the legal system `法律制度`), of which 规定 are a part.
• 规矩 (guīju) - Social custom, unwritten rule, manners. More about social etiquette than formal enforcement.
• 办法 (bànfǎ) - Method; means; measure. Often refers to a specific set of procedures or measures for implementing something, which can function like a set of regulations.
• 条例 (tiáolì) - Regulations; ordinances. A formal name for a set of rules or articles, often used in legal or governmental documents.
• 遵守 (zūnshǒu) - To comply with; to abide by. The verb most commonly paired with 规定.
• 违反 (wéifǎn) - To violate; to go against. The antonym of `遵守` when discussing rules.