圈定 (quān dìng) — to circle (one's choice); to mark a selection

Definition

A verb meaning to circle or mark a selection — literally draw a circle (圈) around what you choose (定). Used in formal contexts like exams, voting, or shortlisting candidates.

verb
to circle (one's choice)to mark a selection

Examples

  • ，圈定。
    Tóu piào shí, qǐng nǐ yòng bǐ quān dìng nǐ zhī chí de hòu xuǎn rén.
    When voting, please use a pen to circle the candidate you support.
  • 圈定。
    Jīng lǐ zài míng dān shàng quān dìng le sān wèi miàn shì zhě.
    The manager circled three interviewees on the list.
  • 圈定。
    Qǐng cóng yǐ xià xuǎn xiàng zhōng quān dìng yí gè dá àn.
    Please circle one answer from the options below.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
补充bǔchōngVerb + complement

An action followed by its result or direction.

圈quāncircle/mark
定dìngfix/select

“圈” is to circle or mark, and “定” gives the idea of fixing or selecting.

Characters in this word

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
囗囗wéi
Sound part声符shēngfú
卷
卷juàn圈quān
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

圈 is made of the outer 囗, an enclosure shape, and the inner 卷, which gives the sound.

Open 圈 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
宀宀mián
Sound part声符shēngfú
正
正zhèng定dìng
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

定 is built from 宀 and 正, with 正 supplying the sound.

Open 定 →

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