围 meaning and stroke order
To encircle; to surround; all around
How to write 围, stroke by stroke
7 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Meaning of 围
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to encircle
- to surround
- all around
- to wear by wrapping around (scarf, shawl)
How 围 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Enclosure.
囗 gives the meaning and 韦 hints at the sound.
Radical: 囗 (enclosure), shared by 39 characters on this site.
How to remember 围
The outer box 囗 is an enclosure, a wall that goes all the way around. Inside sits 韦 (wéi), which gives the sound, so picture something wéi trapped inside a closed fence.
围 (wéi) means to surround or go around something, and it appears in many common words like 周围 (zhōuwéi, surroundings) and 范围 (fànwéi, scope). It is also the verb for wrapping on a scarf or shawl. Example: 很多人围着他。(Hěn duō rén wéi zhe tā.) Many people gathered around him.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 围 with 园 (yuán, garden) or 国 (guó, country), since all three use the same box. Remember that only 围 has 韦 inside, and that 韦 gives it the sound wéi.
Common words with 围
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 周围 | zhōuwéi | environs; surroundings; periphery | HSK 3 |
| 范围 | fànwéi | range; scope | HSK 3 |
| 围巾 | wéijīn | scarf; shawl | HSK 4 |
| 包围 | bāowéi | to surround; to encircle; to hem in | HSK 5 |
| 围绕 | wéirào | to revolve around; to center on (an issue) | HSK 5 |
| 围墙 | wéiqiáng | perimeter wall; fence | HSK 7-9 |
| 氛围 | fēnwéi | ambience; atmosphere | HSK 7-9 |
| 解围 | jiěwéi | to lift a siege; to help sb out of trouble or embarrassment | HSK 7-9 |
| 胸围 | xiōngwéi | chest measurement; bust | |
| 围栏 | wéilán | fencing; railings | |
| 外围 | wàiwéi | surrounding | |
| 围裙 | wéiqún | apron | |
| 围观 | wéiguān | to stand in a circle and watch | |
| 围攻 | wéigōng | to besiege; to beleaguer |
围 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 围
How many strokes are in 围?
围 is written with 7 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 围 mean?
围 (wéi) means to encircle; to surround; all around. A common word with it is 周围 (zhōuwéi), meaning "environs; surroundings; periphery".
How do you pronounce 围?
围 is pronounced wéi, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 围?
The radical of 围 is 囗, which carries the idea of "enclosure". Dictionaries list 围 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 围?
The traditional form of 围 is 圍. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 围 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 围 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 围 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 围 and 围绕?
围 on its own usually means physically surrounding or enclosing, as in 围着桌子 (wéi zhe zhuōzi, around the table). 围绕 (wéirào) can mean circling around something, but it is also used abstractly to mean centering on a topic, as in 围绕这个问题 (around this issue).
How do you say to put on a scarf with 围?
You use 围 as the verb: 围围巾 (wéi wéijīn), to wrap a scarf. This is more natural than 穿 (chuān), which is for clothes you put your body into.