围 (wéi) - Meaning, Stroke Order & Audio

围

wéi[wei2]Tone 2

to encircle, surround

HSK 3

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圍

Guru Deep Dive

English · to encircle, surround

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Topology:Full enclosure

Strokes:7

Writing Balance Rule: Draw the outer enclosing frame (囗) first, leaving space inside, then write the internal component (韦) cleanly before sealing the bottom frame.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 圍 by replacing the inner phonetic/semantic component with its simplified counterpart 韦 (wei).

1. Meaning

to encircle or surround

all aroundto wear by wrapping around (such as a scarf or shawl)surname Wei

Verb / NounNeutral#position#action#clothing

Sample Usage

大家围 S 坐在一起。
dàjiā wéi zuò zài yīqǐ.
Everyone sat together in a circle.
这条围巾真漂亮。
zhè tiáo wéijīn zhēn piàoliang.
This scarf is really pretty.

2. Sound

/[weɪ̯³⁵]/Tone: 35

围

wéiwei2

´(35)

=wéi

Initial Consonant

Type: Labio-Velar Glide (Zero Initial)

Sounds like: w like English 'w' in 'water'

Unaspirated

Airflow Tactile Test: Round lips tightly before gliding into vowel.

Tongue & Mouth Position: Lips rounded and slightly protruded, sliding directly into the vowel.

Final Rhyme

Vowel Group: -e vowel group

Sounds like: -ei rhymes with 'hey' or 'day'

Mouth Shape Guide: Pronounce as standalone vowel 'ay'.

Common Learner Trap: Keep vowel quality steady across all 4 tone contours.

Tone

T2 (35)

3 → 5 (35)

2nd Tone (Mid-Rising)

Tone Pitch & Cadence: Tone 2 rises like a question in English, e.g., 'Huh?' or 'Way?'

👂

Listening trap: Do not confuse with Tone 4 (wèi) or Tone 1 (wēi); make sure the pitch clearly rises from middle to high.

👋

Physical Tone Gesture: Tone 2 starts at a mid pitch and rises straight up to the top, resembling a questioning nod or an upward hand sweep.

3. Writing

Topology: Full enclosure · Strokes: 7 strokes

Writing Balance Rule: Draw the outer enclosing frame (囗) first, leaving space inside, then write the internal component (韦) cleanly before sealing the bottom frame.

Simplification Logic: Simplified from 圍 by replacing the inner phonetic/semantic component with its simplified counterpart 韦 (wei).

4. Components

Radical 囗 · Enclosure Radical (boundary, enclosure, wall)

Semantic Clue (形旁): 囗 (denotes boundaries and surrounding structures)

Phonetic Clue (声旁): 韦 (original sound: wei)

An outer boundary wall (囗) surrounds an inner element (韦), symbolizing an encirclement or siege.

囗 enclosure or wall
韦 phonetic clue providing the 'wei' sound

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

13· Phonetic Root: 韦 (wéi)

5. History

Liushu category: Phono-semantic (形声)

Origin: Originally combined an enclosure (囗) with a phonetic element to represent guarding, patrolling, or surrounding an area.

Semantic Evolution: Shifted from military encirclement and physical boundaries to general surrounding, enclosing, and wearable wraps like scarves.

In ancient military strategy, '围' referred to besieging a city or enemy stronghold.

6. Sinosphere

🇯🇵

Kanji (Japanese)

On: イ (i) / Kun: かこ.む (kakomu)

🇰🇷

Hanja (Korean)

위

7. Memory

Vivid Mnemonic Story

Picture a wall enclosure (囗) where guards weave (韦) a protective fence all around (wéi) the perimeter.

Phonetic Family (形声字家族)

伟

wěigreat, grandUses human radical (亻) instead of enclosure (囗) for people who are great.

韩

hánKorea, surnameUses vehicle radical (车) on the left.

Lookalikes & Traps (形近字)

伟(wěi)

伟 has a person radical (亻) for grand people; 围 has an enclosure (囗) for surrounding space.

8. Mastery

Active Recall Challenge

大家[___] 坐在一起讨论问题。

Clue: wéi

Common Learner Pitfall

Confusing the tone with Tone 4 (wèi) or misplacing the inner component outside the enclosing frame.

Memory Prompts

Recognition: What does 围 mean and how is it pronounced?

Production: How do you write the character for 'to surround' (wéi)?

围wéito encircle, surround

Speed:

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