HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 囗, rank #3487, Medium
围
wéi
to encircle
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 囗, rank #3487, Medium
围
wéi
to surround
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 囗, rank #3487, Medium
围
wéi
all around
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 囗, rank #3487, Medium
围
wéi
to wear by wrapping around (scarf, shawl)
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 囗, rank #3487, Medium
围
wéi
to surround, to encircle, to corral
HSK 5, v, 7 strokes, radical 囗, rank #3487, Medium
wéi(Wei2) T2
1to encircle
2to surround
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March 24, 2026
围(圍)wéi(Wei2)
The character 围 (wéi) primarily means 'to encircle' or 'to surround'. It is commonly used in contexts involving physical barriers, such as surrounding a space or a group of people, but can also refer to wrapping items around oneself, like wearing a scarf. This character conveys a sense of enclosure and protection.
Strokes7Radical囗Frequency#3487DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'surrounding' is often associated with protection and community, as seen in traditional courtyard homes where buildings encircle a central space to foster safety and togetherness.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big 'W' (for '围') made of walls encircling a cozy gathering. The walls protect everyone inside, just as the character represents surrounding or encircling something. The sound 'wéi' can be remembered as 'way', meaning the way you wrap around something.
Meanings of 围
wéi(Wei2)
1to encircle
2to surround
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 围
围Simplified
圍Traditional
7Strokes
囗Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3487Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 围
Podcast: 围
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AI Study Notes for 围
Quick Contrast
围 (wéi) vs 包 (bāo) — use 围 for encircling or surrounding, while 包 implies wrapping or enclosing something without the connotation of a barrier.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big 'W' (for '围') made of walls encircling a cozy gathering. The walls protect everyone inside, just as the character represents surrounding or encircling something. The sound 'wéi' can be remembered as 'way', meaning the way you wrap around something.
Usage Notes
When using 围, be mindful of the context to avoid confusion with similar words. It is often used in both formal and informal settings, but it is particularly common in everyday conversation about physical spaces. Watch out for tone mistakes; the correct pronunciation is 'wéi' with a rising tone.
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the HSK vocabulary list, 围 connects with other HSK words like '围墙' (wéi qiáng - wall) and '围住' (wéi zhù - to surround). Students should practice using it in sentences to understand its encircling nature.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'surrounding' is often associated with protection and community, as seen in traditional courtyard homes where buildings encircle a central space to foster safety and togetherness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 围 with the similar-sounding word '为' (wéi), which means 'to be' or 'for'. For example, saying '我围这个问题' (Wǒ wéi zhège wèntí) instead of '我围绕这个问题' (Wǒ wéirào zhège wèntí) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 围
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Grammar Patterns of 围
围 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.
Similar sound but different meaning; used as a surname.
Exercise 1 of 1
Spot the Difference
Which character means "to encircle"?
or
Usage Notes for 围
Confusion with '围住'Common Error
Learners often confuse '围' with '围住', which means to enclose or trap.
1
他把狗围住了。
He surrounded the dog.
Exercise 1 of 1
Fill in the Blank
他把狗____住了。
He surrounded the dog.
Example Sentences for 围 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
我的确非常喜欢这里宁静幽雅、不受打扰的氛围。
wǒ de què fēi cháng xǐ huān zhè lǐ níng jìng yōu yǎ、 、 bù shòu dǎ rǎo de fēn。
I do very much appreciate the quietness and privacy here.
2
我继续研究飞蛾，并将研究范围扩展到其他昆虫。
wǒ jì xù yán jiū fēi é， ， bìng jiāng yán jiū fàn wéi kuò zhǎn dào qí tā kūn。
I continued studying moths, and branched out to other insects.
3
索米尔周围的白垩质土壤出产著名的安茹葡萄酒。
suǒ mǐ ěr zhōu wéi de bái è zhì tǔ rǎng chū chǎn zhù míng de ān rú pú táo jiǔ。
The chalky soil around Saumur produces the famous Anjou wines.
4
奥尔特曼制造的一些紧张氛围开始缓解。
ào ěr tè màn zhì zào de yī xiē jǐn zhāng fēn wéi kāi shǐ huǎn jiě。
Some of the tension Altman builds up starts to sag.
5
你要是觉得两眼周围紧绷，就放松一下肌肉。
nǐ yào shì jué dé liǎng yǎn zhōu wéi jǐn bēng， ， jiù fàng sōng yī xià jī。
If you feel a tenseness around the eyes, relax your muscles.
6
你需要了解办公室权术是如何影响工作氛围的。
nǐ xū yào le jiě bàn gōng shì quán shù shì rú hé yǐng xiǎng gōng zuò fēn wéi de。
You need to understand how office politics influence the working environment.
7
肯尼亚的罗伯特·基布是800米决赛入围者中速度最快的选手.
kěn ní yà de luó bó tè· · jī bù800 shì 800 mǐ jué sài rù wéi zhě zhōng sù dù zuì kuài de.
Kenya's Robert Kibe was the fastest qualifier for the 800 metres final.
8
我们的目的是要彻底击破围绕他的那些谣言。
wǒ mén de mù de shì yào chè dǐ jī pò wéi rào tā de nà xiē yáo yán。
Our intention was to demolish the rumours that have surrounded him.
9
他们的兴趣完全是围绕着他们的职业。
tā mén de xīng qù wán quán shì wéi rào zháo tā mén de zhí yè。
Their interests were completely bound up in their careers.
10
我打了个寒战，用围巾把脖子围得更紧了。
wǒ dǎ le gè hán zhàn， ， yòng wéi jīn bǎ bó zǐ wéi dé gēng jǐn。
I shivered and pulled my scarf more tightly round my neck.
Cultural Notes for 围
💡Did you know?
围巾在中国不仅是保暖的衣物，还有装饰的功能。人们常常在冬天佩戴围巾来增加时尚感和个性。
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'surrounding' is often associated with protection and community, as seen in traditional courtyard homes where buildings encircle a central space to foster safety and togetherness.
Word Family of 围
Compounds1
涠wei2still water
Words Containing This Character20
范围fànwéirange範圍
周围zhōuwéisurroundings周圍
围wéito encircle圍
包围bāowéito surround包圍
围绕wéiràoto revolve around圍繞
氛围fēnwéiambience氛圍
围巾wéijīnscarf圍巾
围观to stand in a circle and watch圍觀
外围surrounding外圍
围墙wéiqiángfence圍牆
入围to make it to the finals入圍
围棋the game of Go圍棋
围栏fencing圍欄
围攻to besiege圍攻
围裙apron圍裙
围住to surround圍住
解围jiěwéito lift a siege解圍
突围to break a siege突圍
腰围girth腰圍
胸围bust胸圍
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 涠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 围
围 (wéi) typically refers to surrounding something, while 环 (huán) often emphasizes a circular form or encirclement. For example, 围 can imply an action of surrounding, while 环 can refer to a ring or a circular object.
Yes, 围 (wéi) can function as both a verb and a noun in Chinese. As a verb, it means to surround, while as a noun, it can refer to an enclosure or boundary, depending on the context.
围 (wéi) means 'to surround' or 'to encircle'. It can also refer to wearing something by wrapping it around, such as a scarf or shawl. Additionally, it is a common surname in China.
You can use 围 (wéi) in a sentence to express the action of surrounding something. For example, '我们围着桌子坐' means 'We sit around the table.' This illustrates the concept of encircling or surrounding an object.
You can say '我想围住这个区域' (Wǒ xiǎng wéi zhù zhège qūyù) meaning 'I want to surround this area'.
Some common phrases include '围绕' (wéirào - to revolve around) and '围棋' (wéiqí - Go, the board game).
Yes, it appears in '围而不攻' (wéi ér bù gōng), meaning to surround but not attack, often used to describe a strategic situation.
