绕 (rào) - to wind & to coil

绕Tone 4

rào ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

绕 · rào

to wind;

to coil;

to go around;

to circumvent;

to bypass;

to make a detour.

to windto coilto go around

Usage highlights

to go aroundto wind aroundto bypassto circumventdetourto coil around

Synonyms

  • 缠— to twine; to wind around
  • 环— to encircle; to surround
  • 盘— to coil; to wind

Antonyms

  • 直— straight; direct
  • 穿— to pass through; to pierce

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The road winds around the mountain (道路绕山).
  • We had to detour due to construction (我们不得不绕行).
  • The thread is wound around the spool (线绕在线轴上).
  • He skillfully avoided the main issue (他巧妙地绕开了主要问题).

Collocations

  • to go around(绕行)
  • to wind around(缠绕)
  • to bypass(绕道)
  • to circumvent(绕开)
  • detour(绕路)
  • to coil around(盘绕)

Idioms

  • To beat about the bush(绕圈子)
  • To go round and round(绕来绕去)
  • To encircle and annihilate(围剿绕歼)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character often implies indirectness or a non-linear approach in both physical and metaphorical contexts.
  • In traditional crafts like silk production, winding and coiling (绕) are essential techniques.
  • The concept appears in strategic thinking, describing tactics of encirclement or avoidance.

FAQ