Definition
圈 (juān) means 'to confine, to pen in' — it specifically describes physically enclosing animals or people in a small space, like a pen or cage. Compared to 关 (guān), which is a general 'to shut in' (e.g., 关在房间里), 圈 emphasizes the idea of a tight, enclosed area; 限制 (xiànzhì) is broader 'to restrict' (rules, limits), not physical confinement.
to confine (animals, people) in an enclosed spaceto pen into lock up
Easily confused
- 圈juànlook-alikepen (for livestock), fold, sty
- 卷juànsound-alike(noun) book volume; exam paper; roll or scroll
- 卷juànlook-alike(noun) scroll; volume; book (in a series)
- 捐juānsound-aliketo donate, to contribute
Examples
- 圈。Nóngmín bǎ yángqún juān jìn le wéilán.The farmer penned the flock of sheep into the enclosure.
- 圈。Jǐngchá bǎ yífàn juān zài jūliú shì lǐ.The police confined the suspect in the detention room.
- 圈。Bié bǎ māo juān zài nàme xiǎo de lóngzi lǐ.Don't lock the cat in such a small cage.
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