# 率由旧章

shuài yóu jiù zhāng

Follow the established rules or practices

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Follow the old regulations

**Traditional Chinese:** 率由舊章

**Register:** Literary · formal

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe keeping to inherited arrangements.

A formal expression; established practice may still need review.

## The image & its use

A familiar set of rules can make repeated work easier because everyone knows what to expect. This expression describes following those established arrangements. It is formal and can fit an account of procedures continued from an earlier period. The continuity may provide stability, but it does not prove that the rules fit every new situation. Explain which practice is being retained and whether it has been reviewed. That shows the difference between using a dependable method and following it only because it is old.

## Examples

这次活动仍率由旧章，沿用以往的报名方式。

### Traditional Chinese

這次活動仍率由舊章，沿用以往的報名方式。

zhè cì huó dòng réng shuài yóu jiù zhāng ， yán yòng yǐ wǎng de bào míng fāng shì 。

The activity follows established practice and retains the previous registration method.

安排可以率由旧章，也应考虑新的需要。

### Traditional Chinese

安排可以率由舊章，也應考慮新的需要。

ān pái kě yǐ shuài yóu jiù zhāng ， yě yìng kǎo lǜ xīn de xū yào 。

Arrangements can follow established practice while considering new needs.

他处理例行事务时率由旧章，保持流程一致。

### Traditional Chinese

他處理例行事務時率由舊章，保持流程一致。

tā chǔ lǐ lì xíng shì wù shí shuài yóu jiù zhāng ， bǎo chí liú chéng yí zhì 。

He follows established rules for routine matters to keep the process consistent.

这份计划并非完全率由旧章，而是作了适当调整。

### Traditional Chinese

這份計劃並非完全率由舊章，而是作了適當調整。

zhè fèn jì huà bìng fēi wán quán shuài yóu jiù zhāng ， ér shì zuò le shì dàng tiáo zhěng 。

The plan makes suitable adjustments rather than following every old arrangement.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 7, 2026.

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=1234&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E7%8E%87%E7%94%B1%E8%88%8A%E7%AB%A0)

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