Definition
环 (huán) broadly refers to anything ring-shaped. As a noun it means a ring, hoop, link, or loop in general — whereas 戒指 (jiè zhi) is specifically a finger ring, and 轮 (lún) is a wheel or disk. As a verb meaning 'to surround, encircle', it is more formal and less common than everyday 围 (wéi), and often appears in compounds like 环绕 (huán rào).
noun
ringhooplooplink (of a chain)
classifier
for rings/scores on an archery target
verb
to surroundto encircleto hem in
Easily confused
- 坏huàilook-alikebad (of people or things)
- 还huánsound-aliketo return, to give back (something borrowed)
- 班bānlook-alike(noun) class, grade (in school)
- 换huànsound-aliketo exchange, to swap
- 旺wànglook-alikeprosperous; thriving; vigorous (used for business, fire, plants, energy, etc.)
- 患huànsound-aliketo contract / suffer from (a disease)
- 呈chénglook-aliketo submit (to a superior); to formally present
- 缓huǎnsound-aliketo postpone, to delay, to defer
Examples
- 环。Tā shǒu shang dài zhe yì méi jīnsè de huán.She is wearing a gold ring on her hand.
- 环。Tā zài shèjī bǐsài zhōng déle shí huán.He scored ten rings in the shooting competition.
- 。Dàolù huán rào zhe měilì de húpō.The road encircles the beautiful lake.
Browse more HSK 6 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.