轮廓

• Pinyin: lún kuò
• Hanzi breakdown: 轮 = 车 (wheel) + 仑 (order/cycle); 廓 = 广 (broad/wide) + 郭 (outer wall/boundary)

Meaning

Outline; contour; silhouette. The outer boundary or general shape of something. Also used metaphorically for the broad strokes of a plan or concept.

Used in art, architecture, writing, and planning. 初步轮廓 (preliminary outline), 轮廓清晰 (clear profile). Metaphorically describes a rough plan or framework before details are filled in.

Examples

1. 远处山峰的轮廓在夕阳余晖中显得格外清晰而壮观。 The outline of the distant mountain peaks looked especially clear and magnificent in the glow of the setting sun.
2. 作家在动笔之前，先在脑海中勾勒出故事的基本轮廓。 Before putting pen to paper, the writer first sketches out the basic outline of the story in his mind.
3. 这幅素描用简洁的线条准确地捕捉了人物面部的轮廓特征。 With simple lines, this sketch accurately captures the contours of the person’s facial features.

Usage Guide

Context: art, writing, architecture, planning

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 设计师先画出建筑物的整体轮廓，再逐步细化各个功能区域的具体布局方案。(The designer first sketched the overall outline of the building, then gradually refined the specific layout plans for each functional area.)
• 政策报告中已初步呈现了改革方案的基本轮廓，具体细节将在后续会议中逐步完善。(The policy report has already presented the basic outline of the reform plan; specific details will be gradually refined in subsequent meetings.)

Don't Say

• 将轮廓用于精确的技术参数描述 — 轮廓 refers to a general shape or broad framework, not precise measurements; use 规格、参数 for technical precision

Origin & History

轮 (wheel/ring, circular edge) + 廓 (broad outline, expanse) — the circular boundary or outer edge

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal