Meaning of 围绕
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to revolve around
- to center on (an issue)
How to use 围绕
围绕 is used both literally, for things moving or placed around a center, and figuratively, for discussions that focus on a topic. It often appears in the pattern 围绕……展开 or 围绕……进行. Example: 会议围绕环保问题展开。(Huìyì wéirào huánbǎo wèntí zhǎnkāi.) The meeting centered on environmental issues.
围 (wéi) shows an enclosure 囗 around something, so it means to surround. 绕 (rào) has the silk radical 纟, like a thread winding around a spool, so together 围绕 means to circle around or to center on something.
Common mistake: Learners often write 饶 (ráo, plentiful) or 浇 (jiāo, to water) instead of 绕, because they share the same right side 尧. Remember that 绕 needs the silk radical 纟 for winding.
围绕 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
绕 rào · to wind · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
Related words
Words that share a character with 围绕.
| 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 |
| 围墙 | wéiqiáng | perimeter wall; fence |
| 环绕 | huánrào | to surround; to circle |
| 氛围 | fēnwéi | ambience; atmosphere |
| 解围 | jiěwéi | to lift a siege; to help sb out of trouble or embarrassment |
| 绕行 | ràoxíng | to take a circular (or circuitous) route; to do a circuit |
| 胸围 | xiōngwéi | chest measurement; bust |
| 绕过 | ràoguò | to detour; to bypass |
| 围栏 | wéilán | fencing; railings |
Questions about 围绕
What does 围绕 mean?
围绕 (wéirào) means "to revolve around; to center on (an issue)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 围绕?
围绕 is made of 2 characters: 围 (7 strokes), 绕 (9 strokes). That is 16 strokes in total.
Is 围绕 an HSK word?
Yes. 围绕 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 围绕 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 围绕 is written 圍繞.
What is the difference between 围绕 and 环绕?
Both can mean to surround or circle. 环绕 (huánrào) is mostly physical and descriptive, like mountains surrounding a lake. 围绕 is also common in the abstract sense of focusing on a topic, which 环绕 rarely has.
Can 围绕 be used about a person moving around something?
Yes. For example, 地球围绕太阳转。(Dìqiú wéirào tàiyáng zhuàn.) The Earth revolves around the sun. It is often followed by a verb like 转 (zhuàn) to show the circling motion.