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四周 (sì zhōu) — surroundings, all around

Definition

四周 names the physical space immediately around something — more concrete and local than 环境 ('environment'). Compared with 周围, 四周 emphasizes the four-sided, all-around view.

noun
surroundingsall around

Examples

  • 四周，。
    sì zhōu Fēi cháng ān jìng, lián yí gè rén yě méi yǒu.
    The surroundings are very quiet, without a single person.
  • 四周。
    Tā de fáng zi sì zhōu zhǒng mǎn le huā.
    All around his house is planted with flowers.
  • 四周。
    sì zhōu Yǒu hěn duō shù hé cǎo.
    There are many trees and grass all around.

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
周zhōusurround

四 and 周 picture the circle around all sides, giving surroundings.

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 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 5

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