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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)
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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 圜

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

Podcast: 圜

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Podcast: 圜

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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

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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

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 圜

  1. 1The giveawayA round 睘 fence 囗
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 圜? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 圜?

Decomposition of 圜

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

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component 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

Word Family of 圜

Words Containing This Character2
圜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).

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