潛規則 qián guī zé

hidden rules; shady unspoken deals, often sexual

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. unspoken rules (usually ones that codify improper behaviors such as leveraging guanxi to get favorable treatment, or coercing employees for sexual favors)

Characters

Character Meaning
潛 qián
to dive; to hide; to conceal
規 guī
regulation; a rule; to admonish
則 zé
then; but; rule, standard