环 meaning and stroke order
Ring; hoop; loop
How to write 环, stroke by stroke
8 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
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- 8
Meaning of 环
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- ring
- hoop
- loop
- (chain) link
- classifier for scores in archery etc
- to surround
How 环 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Jade.
王 gives the meaning and 不 hints at the sound.
Radical: 王 (king), shared by 104 characters on this site.
How to remember 环
The left side 王 here stands for jade, so think of a jade ring or bracelet. The right side 不 (bù) was chosen as a sound hint, and you can picture a jade ring that has no end, a loop that does not stop.
环 (huán) appears most often in compounds such as 环境 (huánjìng, environment) and 环保 (huánbǎo, environmental protection). It also means to surround, and in archery or shooting it counts the scoring rings. Example: 我们要保护环境。(Wǒmen yào bǎohù huánjìng.) We need to protect the environment.
Common mistake: Learners often write the right side as 不 correctly but then confuse 环 with 坏 (huài, bad), which has the same 不 but the earth radical 土. Remember that jade 王 makes a ring and earth 土 makes things go bad.
Common words with 环
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 环境 | huánjìng | environment; circumstances | HSK 3 |
| 环保 | huánbǎo | environmental protection; environmentally friendly | HSK 3 |
| 环节 | huánjié | (zoology) segment (of the body of a worm, centipede etc); (fig.) a part of an integrated w | HSK 5 |
| 循环 | xúnhuán | to cycle; to circulate | HSK 6 |
| 环球 | huánqiú | around the world; worldwide | HSK 7-9 |
| 环绕 | huánrào | to surround; to circle | HSK 7-9 |
| 光环 | guānghuán | ring of light; halo; (fig.) glory; splendor | HSK 7-9 |
| 连环 | liánhuán | chain of rings; (attributive) linked; successive; serial | |
| 耳环 | ěrhuán | earring | |
| 环顾四周 | huángùsìzhōu | to look around | |
| 花环 | huāhuán | garland; floral hoop | |
| 指环 | zhǐhuán | (finger) ring | |
| 圆环 | yuánhuán | ring (any circular object); (math.) annulus | |
| 血液循环 | xuèyèxúnhuán | blood circulation |
环 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 环
How many strokes are in 环?
环 is written with 8 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 环 mean?
环 (huán) means ring; hoop; loop. A common word with it is 环境 (huánjìng), meaning "environment; circumstances".
How do you pronounce 环?
环 is pronounced huán, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 环?
The radical of 环 is 王, which carries the idea of "king". Dictionaries list 环 under this radical.
What is the traditional form of 环?
The traditional form of 环 is 環. Traditional characters are used in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau; 环 is the simplified form used in mainland China and Singapore.
Is 环 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 环 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 环 and 圈 (quān)?
Both can mean a ring or circle. 圈 is more everyday and spoken, as in 画一个圈 (draw a circle), and it also counts laps. 环 feels more formal or technical and appears in fixed words like 环境 and 耳环 (ěrhuán, earring).
How do I say 'ring' for a finger in Chinese?
A finger ring is usually 戒指 (jièzhi), not 环 alone. 环 is used for earrings (耳环) and bracelets (手环 shǒuhuán), and 手环 also means a fitness band.