圍 meaning and stroke order
To surround, to encircle, to corral
How to write 圍, stroke by stroke
12 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
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
- 12
Meaning of 圍
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to encircle
- to surround
- all around
- to wear by wrapping around (scarf, shawl)
How 圍 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Enclosure.
囗 gives the meaning and 韋 hints at the sound.
Radical: 囗 (enclosure), shared by 39 characters on this site.
How to remember 圍
The outer box 囗 is an enclosure, like a wall drawn all the way around. Inside sits 韋 (wéi), which gives the sound, so picture something trapped inside a fence that you surround: 圍 (wéi).
圍 is the traditional form of 围 and appears in words about surrounding or being around something, such as 周圍 (zhōuwéi, surroundings) and 範圍 (fànwéi, scope). It is also the verb for wrapping something around yourself, like a scarf. Example: 她圍著一條紅圍巾。(Tā wéizhe yì tiáo hóng wéijīn.) She is wearing a red scarf.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 圍 with 圓 (yuán, round) or 國 (guó, country), since all three sit inside the same 囗 box. Check the inside part: 圍 has 韋, 圓 has 員, and 國 has 或.
Common words with 圍
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 周圍 | zhōuwéi | environs; surroundings; periphery | HSK 3 |
| 範圍 | fànwéi | range; scope | HSK 3 |
| 圍巾 | wéijīn | scarf; shawl | HSK 4 |
| 包圍 | bāowéi | to surround; to encircle; to hem in | HSK 5 |
| 圍繞 | wéirào | to revolve around; to center on (an issue) | HSK 5 |
| 圍牆 | wéiqiáng | perimeter wall; fence | HSK 7-9 |
| 氛圍 | fēnwéi | ambience; atmosphere | HSK 7-9 |
| 解圍 | jiěwéi | to lift a siege; to help sb out of trouble or embarrassment | HSK 7-9 |
| 胸圍 | xiōngwéi | chest measurement; bust | |
| 圍欄 | wéilán | fencing; railings | |
| 外圍 | wàiwéi | surrounding | |
| 圍裙 | wéiqún | apron | |
| 圍觀 | wéiguān | to stand in a circle and watch | |
| 圍攻 | wéigōng | to besiege; to beleaguer |
Questions about 圍
How many strokes are in 圍?
圍 is written with 12 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 圍 mean?
圍 (wéi) means to surround, to encircle, to corral. A common word with it is 周围 (zhōuwéi), meaning "environs; surroundings; periphery".
How do you pronounce 圍?
圍 is pronounced wéi, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 圍?
The radical of 圍 is 囗, which carries the idea of "enclosure". Dictionaries list 圍 under this radical.
What is the simplified form of 圍?
圍 is a traditional character. Its simplified form is 围, used in mainland China and Singapore.
How do you say "to wear a scarf" in Chinese?
Use 圍 as the verb: 圍圍巾 (wéi wéijīn). You do not usually use 穿 (chuān) for scarves, because the scarf is wrapped around the neck rather than put on like clothing.
What does 解圍 mean in everyday speech?
Literally it means to lift a siege. In daily conversation it means to help someone out of an awkward or embarrassing situation, for example by changing the topic for them.