Chinese character 随

“Follow” is the starting point; the phrase sets the exact sense. In Chinese, 随 can also link an action to a rule or change, or leave a choice open. Read the whole phrase: one English word will not fit every use.

Older forms appear in Qin scripts

Older forms appear in Qin slip writing (characters written on narrow strips) and small seal script, an early formal style of writing. The Han-era dictionary 说文解字 gives the traditional form 隨 the sense “follow.” 隨 combines a movement component with a sound component; simplified 随 continues that written lineage.