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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#3487DifficultyHard
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
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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.
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.
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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围 = 囗 + 韦. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 围
IDS Structure⿴囗韦
围Full character
=
囗wei2
enclosing
韦Wei2
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 围?
How to say to encircle in Chinese
“to encircle” in Chinese is围wéi
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.
When to use 围
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.
围 or something close to it
围 (wéi) vs 包 (bāo) — use 围 for encircling or surrounding, while 包 implies wrapping or enclosing something without the connotation of a barrier.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 围
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.
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 luō bà tè· jī bù shì800 mǐ juésài rù wéi zhě zhōng sùdù zuì kuài de xuǎnshǒu.
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。
wǒmen de mùdì shì yào chèdǐ jī pò wéirào tā de nàxiē yáoyán。
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。
tāmen de xìngqù wánquán shì wéirào zhe tāmen de zhíyè。
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 wéijīn bǎ bózi wéi de gèng jǐn le。
I shivered and pulled my scarf more tightly round my neck.
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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。
Word Family of 围
Compounds1
涠wéistill 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wéiguānto stand in a circle and watch圍觀
外围wàiwéisurrounding外圍
围墙wéiqiángfence圍牆
入围rùwéito make it to the finals入圍
围棋wéiqíthe game of Go圍棋
围栏wéilánfencing圍欄
围攻wéigōngto besiege圍攻
围裙wéiqúnapron圍裙
围住wéizhùto surround圍住
解围jiěwéito lift a siege解圍
突围tūwéito break a siege突圍
腰围yāowéigirth腰圍
胸围xiōngwéibust胸圍
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 围
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.
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