规范 (guīfàn)

规范 functions as both a noun and a verb. As a noun it means a norm, standard, or specification — the accepted model of correct or proper behavior, language, or procedure. As a verb it means to standardize or regulate, bringing something into conformity with an established norm. It is widely used in institutional, legal, and academic discourse.

Meanings

[n] norm, standard, specification
[v] to standardize, to regulate, to bring into conformity

Example Sentences

学术写作有严格的规范，论文格式必须符合期刊要求。 Xuéshù xiězuò yǒu yángé de guīfàn, lùnwén géshì bìxū fúhé qīkān yāoqiú. Academic writing has strict norms; the format of papers must meet journal requirements.

政府出台新政策，旨在规范互联网平台的数据使用行为。 Zhèngfǔ chūtái xīn zhèngcè, zhǐzài guīfàn hùliánwǎng píngtái de shùjù shǐyòng xíngwéi. The government introduced new policies aimed at regulating data use by internet platforms.

语言使用的规范化有助于提高社会沟通的效率。 Yǔyán shǐyòng de guīfànhuà yǒuzhù yú tígāo shèhuì gōutōng de xiàolǜ. Standardization of language use helps improve the efficiency of social communication.

这家公司的财务操作长期游离于行业规范之外。 Zhè jiā gōngsī de cáiwù cāozuò chángqī yóulí yú hángyè guīfàn zhī wài. This company's financial operations have long deviated from industry norms.

教育部发布指导方针，规范中小学校的教学评估体系。 Jiàoyùbù fābù zhǐdǎo fāngzhēn, guīfàn zhōngxiǎoxué xiào de jiāoxué pínggū tǐxì. The Ministry of Education issued guidelines to standardize the teaching evaluation system in primary and secondary schools.

书法艺术既强调个性表达，又须遵循一定的技法规范。 Shūfǎ yìshù jì qiángdiào gèxìng biǎodá, yòu xū zūnxún yīdìng de jìfǎ guīfàn. Calligraphy art emphasizes personal expression while also requiring adherence to certain technical norms.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
行业规范	industry standard / norm
规范化	standardization
规范管理	standardized management
符合规范	to comply with norms

Usage Notes

规范 is more prescriptive than 规律: 规律 is a naturally occurring pattern, while 规范 is a human-made or socially established standard. As a verb, 规范 often collocates with 市场 (market), 行为 (behavior), 管理 (management), or 程序 (procedure). The derived form 规范化 (guīfànhuà) means "standardization" and is frequently used in policy and administrative language.

Distinguish 规范 from 标准 (biāozhǔn, standard/criterion): 标准 tends to be more quantitative and measurable, while 规范 is broader and may be qualitative or procedural.

Memory Hook

规 (rule) + 范 (model/example) — a 规范 is the model rule that everyone is expected to follow.