周围

• Pinyin: zhōu wéi
• Hanzi breakdown: 周 = originally meaning 'thorough' or 'all around'; 围 = 囗 (enclosure) + 韦 (leather), meaning to surround

Meaning

Surroundings; around; vicinity. Refers to the area encircling a person, place, or object.

Used to describe the space or environment around something. Can function as a noun (周围的环境, the surrounding environment) or a location word (在学校周围, around the school). Very common in descriptions of places, environments, and social circles (周围的人, the people around you). Similar to 附近 (nearby) but emphasises encirclement rather than proximity.

Examples

1. 学校周围有很多小吃店。 There are many snack shops around the school.
2. 她看了看周围，没有发现什么异常。 She looked around and didn't notice anything unusual.
3. 周围的邻居都很友好。 The neighbours around here are all very friendly.

Usage Guide

Context: description, everyday, observation

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他家周围都是树。(There are trees all around his house.)
• 请注意你周围的环境。(Please pay attention to your surroundings.)

Don't Say

• 我住在北京的周围。(For living near a city, use 附近 — 周围 implies being encircled by it, which doesn't fit for living near a city)

Origin & History

周 (around, all around) + 围 (surround, encircle). Together they doubly emphasise 'surrounding,' meaning 'all around.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal