簇拥

• Pinyin: cù yōng
• Hanzi breakdown: 簇 = 竹 + 族 (cluster, bunch); 拥 = 扌+ 雍 (to embrace, crowd)

Meaning

To crowd around; to cluster around; to throng. A verb describing people gathering closely around someone or something.

Often implies admiration, protection, or attention. Used when fans surround a celebrity, guards surround a VIP, or people gather around something interesting. The imagery is of tight clustering.

Examples

1. 明星一出现，就被粉丝们簇拥着签名合影。 As soon as the celebrity appeared, fans crowded around for autographs and photos.
2. 新娘被一群伴娘簇拥着走进婚礼现场。 The bride was surrounded by a group of bridesmaids as she walked into the wedding venue.
3. 总统被保镖簇拥着快步走向专车。 The president, surrounded by bodyguards, quickly walked toward the official car.

Usage Guide

Context: crowds, celebrity, description

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 他被众人簇拥着进入会场。(He was surrounded by a crowd as he entered the venue.)
• 孩子们簇拥着老师。(The children crowded around the teacher.)

Don't Say

• 他独自被簇拥 (Contradictory — 簇拥 requires multiple people; can't be alone and surrounded)

Origin & History

Compound of 簇 (cluster, bunch) + 拥 (to embrace, crowd). Together depicting a tight gathering around someone.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal