Meaning of 围
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to encircle
- to surround
- all around
- to wear by wrapping around (scarf, shawl)
How to use 围
围 is used as a verb for surrounding or gathering around something, and for wrapping things like a scarf around your body. It also appears in common words like 周围 (zhōuwéi, surroundings) and 范围 (fànwéi, scope). Example: 大家围着桌子坐。(Dàjiā wéizhe zhuōzi zuò.) Everyone sat around the table.
围 is a big enclosure 囗 with 韦 (wéi) inside, and 韦 also gives the sound. Picture a wall drawn all the way around something, and you have the idea of surrounding.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 围 with 国 (guó, country) or 园 (yuán, garden), since all three use the same outer box. Look at what is inside: 围 has 韦, 国 has 玉, and 园 has 元.
围 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
围 wéi · to encircle · 7 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
Related words
Words that share a character with 围.
| 周围 | zhōuwéi | environs; surroundings; periphery |
| 范围 | fànwéi | range; scope |
| 围巾 | wéijīn | scarf; shawl |
| 包围 | bāowéi | to surround; to encircle; to hem in |
| 围绕 | wéirào | to revolve around; to center on (an issue) |
| 围墙 | wéiqiáng | perimeter wall; fence |
| 氛围 | fēnwéi | ambience; atmosphere |
| 解围 | jiěwéi | to lift a siege; to help sb out of trouble or embarrassment |
| 胸围 | xiōngwéi | chest measurement; bust |
| 围栏 | wéilán | fencing; railings |
| 外围 | wàiwéi | surrounding |
| 围裙 | wéiqún | apron |
Questions about 围
What does 围 mean?
围 (wéi) means "to encircle; to surround" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 围?
围 is made of 1 character: 围 (7 strokes). That is 7 strokes in total.
Is 围 an HSK word?
Yes. 围 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 围 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 围 is written 圍.
How do you say to put on a scarf in Chinese?
You can say 围围巾 (wéi wéijīn), where the first 围 is the verb meaning to wrap around. Many speakers also say 戴围巾 (dài wéijīn).
What is the difference between 围 and 包围?
围 alone is common in everyday speech, like people gathering around something. 包围 (bāowéi) sounds stronger and is often used for completely encircling or hemming in, such as in military or police contexts.