# 循规蹈矩

xún guī dǎo jǔ

Follow established rules and conventions

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Follow the compass and step with the square

**Traditional Chinese:** 循規蹈矩

**Register:** General · spoken & written

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

## When to use it

Describe orderly conduct, or a style constrained by convention.

Following useful rules differs from refusing thoughtful improvement.

## The image & its use

A compass and square guide accurate shapes, giving the expression an image of working within established lines. It can praise reliable behavior when a task needs clear procedures. It may also suggest that a piece of work lacks fresh ideas because it stays too closely with convention. Context determines the judgment. Explain which rules matter and why. A person can respect important standards while experimenting responsibly with details that do not need to remain fixed.

## Examples

实验记录必须循规蹈矩。

### Traditional Chinese

實驗記錄必須循規蹈矩。

shí yàn jì lù bì xū xún guī dǎo jǔ 。

Experimental records must follow the established procedures.

他的文章循规蹈矩，但缺少新意。

### Traditional Chinese

他的文章循規蹈矩，但缺少新意。

tā de wén zhāng xún guī dǎo jǔ ， dàn quē shǎo xīn yì 。

His article follows conventions but lacks fresh ideas.

她做事循规蹈矩，让人放心。

### Traditional Chinese

她做事循規蹈矩，讓人放心。

tā zuò shì xún guī dǎo jǔ ， ràng rén fàng xīn 。

Her orderly approach makes her dependable.

循规蹈矩之外，也可以提出改进。

### Traditional Chinese

循規蹈矩之外，也可以提出改進。

xún guī dǎo jǔ zhī wài ， yě kě yǐ tí chū gǎi jìn 。

Following rules can coexist with proposing improvements.

## 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=1169&webMd=1&la=0)

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%BE%AA%E8%A6%8F%E8%B9%88%E7%9F%A9)

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