Meanings of 圍
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About 圍
Podcast: 圍
Podcast: 圍
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AI Study Notes for 圍
围 (wéi) vs 环 (huán) — use 围 for enclosing or surrounding something, while 环 emphasizes encircling or forming a ring around it.
Be cautious with the tone, as 'wéi' is pronounced with a rising tone. Common collocations include 圍住 (wéi zhù - to surround) and 圍繞 (wéi rào - to encircle). This word can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure the surrounding context is clear to avoid ambiguity.
While 圍 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it relates well to other HSK words like 包 (bāo - to wrap) and 團 (tuán - group). Focus on context-based usage of 圍 in sentences to strengthen your understanding and application.
Learners often confuse 圍 with the similar-sounding 维 (wéi), which means to maintain. For instance, saying '我维住了这个花园' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我圍住了这个花园.'
Pronunciation of 圍
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Etymology of 圍
Phonosemantic compound. 囗 represents the meaning and 韦 represents the sound.
enclosure
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 圍
Phonosemantic compound. 囗 represents the meaning and 韦 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half囗 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half韋 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayenclosure
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 圍? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 圍
Identify the Components
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How to say to surround, to encircle, to corral in Chinese
“to surround, to encircle, to corral” in Chinese is圍
The character 圍 (wéi) means 'to surround' or 'to encircle.' It is commonly used in contexts where something is enclosed or protected, such as a fence around a property or a group of people gathered together. This word also conveys the idea of corraling or containing, often used in both physical and metaphorical senses.
When to use 圍
Be cautious with the tone, as 'wéi' is pronounced with a rising tone. Common collocations include 圍住 (wéi zhù - to surround) and 圍繞 (wéi rào - to encircle). This word can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but ensure the surrounding context is clear to avoid ambiguity.
圍 or something close to it
围 (wéi) vs 环 (huán) — use 围 for enclosing or surrounding something, while 环 emphasizes encircling or forming a ring around it.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 圍 with the similar-sounding 维 (wéi), which means to maintain. For instance, saying '我维住了这个花园' is incorrect; the correct phrase is '我圍住了这个花园.'
Write 圍
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Practice writing 圍 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 圍
Compound Meaning
What does 范围 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 圍
You can say '我圍住了這個花園' (Wǒ wéi zhùle zhège huāyuán) meaning 'I surrounded this garden.'
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