包围

• Pinyin: bāo wéi
• Hanzi breakdown: 包 = 勹 (wrap) + 巳 (snake); 围 = 囗 (enclosure) + 韦 (phonetic)

Meaning

Surround; encircle. To form a ring around something or someone, either physically or figuratively.

Used for military encirclement, police cordoning off an area, crowds surrounding someone, or figuratively being surrounded by emotions or circumstances. Can be both literal and metaphorical.

Examples

1. 警察迅速包围了犯罪现场，不让任何人离开。 The police quickly surrounded the crime scene, not allowing anyone to leave.
2. 粉丝们热情地包围了那位明星，争着要签名。 Fans enthusiastically surrounded the celebrity, eagerly asking for autographs.
3. 这座古老的城堡被茂密的森林所包围。 This ancient castle is surrounded by dense forest.

Usage Guide

Context: military, news, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 记者们把他团团包围了。(The reporters surrounded him completely.)
• 敌军被我们包围了。(The enemy forces were surrounded by us.)

Don't Say

• 说'我被工作包围'来表达忙碌——应该说'我被工作压得喘不过气'或'我忙得不可开交' (Don't say '被工作包围' for being busy — say 忙得不可开交 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 包 (wrap/enclose) + 围 (surround), both characters contributing to the meaning of encircling.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal