四周围 (sì zhōu wéi) — all around, on all sides

Definition

Noun phrase meaning 'the area on all sides / all around.' Usually appears as a spatial subject or after a verb of looking (e.g. 看了看四周围), referring to the immediate surroundings rather than a direction.

noun
all aroundon all sides

Examples

  • 四周围，。
    sì zhōu wéi Dōu shì shān, fēng jǐng hěn měi.
    There are mountains all around, and the scenery is beautiful.
  • 四周围，。
    Tā kàn le kàn sì zhōu wéi, méi yǒu fā xiàn rèn hé rén.
    He looked all around and didn't find anyone.
  • 四周围，。
    sì zhōu wéi Jìng qiāo qiāo de, yí gè rén yě méi yǒu.
    It was completely quiet all around, not a single person.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

四sìfour directions
周围around
周zhōuaround围wéisurround
联合Side by side

四 (four directions) and 周围 (around) combine to mean all around.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The form 四 was drawn as a nose breathing out. It later came to be used for the word four.

Open 四 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The oldest form of 周 drew a jade artifact with carved patterns. It was later borrowed for a place name, so an extra mark was added to distinguish it.

Open 周 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 圍; 围 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
囗囗wéienclosure
Sound part声符shēngfú
韋
韋wéi圍wéi
Same sound today

The traditional form 圍 pairs 囗 (enclosure) with 韋, which gives the sound; 围 is the simplified form of 圍.

Open 围 →

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.