围

• Pinyin: wéi
• Hanzi breakdown: 围 = 囗 (enclosure) + 韦 (tanned leather, phonetic) — to wrap around or enclose

Meaning

To surround; to enclose; to encircle. The action of forming a circle or barrier around something.

Can describe physical surrounding (围墙, surrounding wall), abstract encirclement (围绕, to revolve around a topic), or communal gathering (围在一起, gathered around). Also used as a measure word for the circumference of something.

Examples

1. 一群人围在广场上看表演。 A crowd of people gathered in the square to watch a performance.
2. 花园四周围着一道矮墙。 The garden is enclosed by a low wall on all sides.
3. 孩子们围着老师听故事。 The children gathered around the teacher to listen to stories.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, spatial, narrative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 大家围成一个圈。(Everyone form a circle.)
• 他们把那栋楼围了起来。(They surrounded that building.)

Don't Say

• 我围了一个问题。(Don't use 围 alone for abstract focus — for 'focusing on a problem', use 围绕 instead of 围 alone.)

Origin & History

The traditional character 圍 shows 韋 (tanned leather) inside 囗 (enclosure), suggesting wrapping around. Simplified to 围.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal