正规
zhèngguī · HSK 5
standard
📏 正 = upright/correct + 规 = compass/rule → upright rule = standard
正 means upright or correct; 规 originally meant a compass for drawing circles, then any rule or regulation. Together: something that follows the proper rules — regular, standard, official. The opposite of 非正规 (irregular, informal).
正 — one 一 + stop 止
Originally an ideograph showing a foot (止) advancing toward a target line (一), meaning 'to march straight toward' a city or goal. From this came the senses 'upright,' 'correct,' and 'proper.' The military sense survives in 征 (to campaign), which took over the original 'march' meaning.