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圜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
huáncircle; to surround, to encirclezg, 16 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
huánencircleunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
huánroundunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
yuáncircle; to surround, to encirclezg, 16 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
yuánencircleunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
yuánroundunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗, Very Hard
huán(huan2)
primary
T2
  1. 1circle; to surround, to encircle
  2. 2encircle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
huán(huan2)

The character 圜 (huán) primarily means 'circle' or 'round.' It can also convey the action of surrounding or encircling something. This character is often used in contexts related to geometry, design, and metaphors of protection or inclusion.

Strokes16RadicalFrequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, circles symbolize unity and completeness, often represented in art and architecture, such as in the design of certain temples or gardens. The concept of encircling can also reflect protection in familial and social structures.

Memory Tip

Imagine a round wall (the radical 圭) that encircles a garden, keeping everything inside safe and secure. The circle represents harmony and completeness, and the pronunciation 'huán' sounds like 'one' with a round shape, reminding you of a single, perfect circle.

Meanings of 圜

huán(huan2)
primary
1circle; to surround, to encircle
2encircle
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 圜

Simplified
16Strokes
Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 圜

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AI Study Notes for 圜

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a round wall (the radical 圭) that encircles a garden, keeping everything inside safe and secure. The circle represents harmony and completeness, and the pronunciation 'huán' sounds like 'one' with a round shape, reminding you of a single, perfect circle.

Usage Notes

Be mindful that 圜 is more formal and less commonly used in everyday speech compared to its synonyms like 圆 (yuán), which also means 'round' or 'circle.' It can appear in technical contexts, so ensure to use it appropriately. Tone mistakes may lead to confusion with other similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 圜 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your knowledge of related terms such as 圆 (yuán) and 环 (huán), which also deal with circular concepts. Focus on its visual components and pronunciation to help memorize its meaning.

Cultural Note

In traditional Chinese culture, circles symbolize unity and completeness, often represented in art and architecture, such as in the design of certain temples or gardens. The concept of encircling can also reflect protection in familial and social structures.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 圜 with 圆 (yuán), leading to incorrect usage in casual conversation. For example, saying '我想要一个圜的桌子' (I want a round table) is incorrect; the correct term is '圆的桌子'.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 圜

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Etymology of 圜

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A round 睘 fence 囗

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 圜?

Decomposition of 圜

IDS Structure⿴囗睘
Full Character
=
wei2
enclosing
qiong2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 圜?

Write 圜

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Cultural Notes for 圜

🏮Cultural insight

In traditional Chinese culture, circles symbolize unity and completeness, often represented in art and architecture, such as in the design of certain temples or gardens. The concept of encircling can also reflect protection in familial and social structures.

Word Family of 圜

Words Containing This Character2
huáncircle
转圜to mediate轉圜
Exercise 1 of 2

Compound Meaning

What does 圜 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 圜

No, 圜 is more often used in formal or technical contexts. In everyday speech, you might prefer using 圆 (yuán).