圈 (quān) - Circle & ring

圈Tone 1

quān ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

圈 · quān

Circle;

ring;

enclosure;

to encircle;

to mark with a circle;

also used for pens or enclosures for animals.

Circleringenclosure

Usage highlights

CircleKey ringEncirclementLife circleFriends circlePigpen

Synonyms

  • 环— ring; loop
  • 圆— circle; round

Antonyms

  • 方— square; rectangle
  • 角— corner; angle

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Draw a circle (画一个圈).
  • The key is in the key ring (钥匙圈).
  • They formed a circle around the fire (围成一个圈).
  • Circle the correct answer (圈出正确答案).
  • The pigs are in the pigpen (猪圈).

Collocations

  • Circle(圆圈)
  • Key ring(钥匙圈)
  • Encirclement(包围圈)
  • Life circle(生活圈)
  • Friends circle(朋友圈)
  • Pigpen(猪圈)

Idioms

  • To draw a circle as a prison(画地为圈)
  • To be trapped in a vicious circle(恶性循环)
  • To run around in circles(团团转圈)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, the circle symbolizes completeness, unity, and perfection.
  • The character appears in terms related to social circles and community boundaries.
  • Historically used for animal enclosures, reflecting agricultural society.

FAQ