Skip to content
Begin learning Chinese at your own paceStart learning
圜 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
圜huáncircle; to surround, to encirclezg, 16 strokes, radical 囗
圜huánencircleunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗
圜huánroundunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗
圜yuáncircle; to surround, to encirclezg, 16 strokes, radical 囗
圜yuánencircleunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗
圜yuánroundunknown, 16 strokes, radical 囗
huán(huan2)huan
primary
T2
  1. 1circle; to surround, to encircle
  2. 2encircle
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

圜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.

Strokes16Radical囗
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

By ear

Play it, then pick what 圜 means.

About 圜

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

Podcast: 圜

JasonAmy

Podcast: 圜

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 圜

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.

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

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 圜 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 圜 to You

Let me explain 圜 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 圜 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 圜?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 圜 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

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

Origin

What kind of character is 圜?

Decomposition of 圜

IDS Structure⿴囗睘
圜Full character
=
囗wei2
enclosing
睘qiong2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 圜?

How to say circle; to surround, to encircle in Chinese

“circle; to surround, to encircle” in Chinese is圜huán

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.

When to use 圜

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.

What learners get wrong

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'.

Write 圜

圜

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 圜?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.

Word Family of 圜

Words containing this character2
圜huáncircle
转圜to mediate轉圜
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 圜

What does 转圜 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).

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 圜?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab