圈

• Pinyin: quān
• Hanzi breakdown: 圈 = 囗 (enclosure) + 卷 (roll, phonetic)

Meaning

Circle; loop; ring; to circle or encircle. Refers to circular shapes, social circles, or the act of drawing a circle around something.

圈 is used literally (a ring, loop, or circular enclosure) and figuratively (a social circle or community, e.g. 朋友圈). As a verb it means to encircle or put a ring around something. 绕圈子 means to beat around the bush.

Examples

1. 孩子们围成一个圈，开心地跳起舞来。 The children formed a circle and happily started to dance.
2. 老师在错别字下面画了一个圈。 The teacher drew a circle under the misspelt character.
3. 她在演艺圈工作了将近二十年。 She has worked in the entertainment industry for nearly twenty years.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, social, education

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请在正确答案旁边画一个圈。(Please draw a circle next to the correct answer.)
• 他在商界的圈子里很有名气。(He is very well-known in business circles.)

Don't Say

• 不要把'圈'和'环'混用 — '圈'更强调由人或物围成的圆形，'环'更多指环形物体 (Don't confuse 圈 with 环 — 圈 emphasises a formed circle or group, while 环 refers more to a ring-shaped object)

Origin & History

圈 = 囗 (enclosure) + 卷 (roll/curl, phonetic) — the enclosure radical reinforces the idea of a closed circular space.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal