圈

The Chinese character 圈 (quān) is composed of two parts: the radical 囗 (wéi), which represents an enclosure, and the phonetic component 勹 (yuán), which is related to the idea of surrounding or encircling. The character 圈 originally meant "to surround" or "to encircle", and it has been used in this sense since the Shang dynasty (c. 1600-1046 BC). Over time, the meaning of 圈 has expanded to include the ideas of "a circle", "a loop", "a ring", and "a group".The character 圈 can be used as a noun, a verb, or an adjective. As a noun, 圈 can refer to a physical enclosure, such as a fence, a wall, or a ring. It can also refer to a group of people or things that are connected or related in some way, such as a circle of friends or a group of students. As a verb, 圈 can mean "to surround", "to encircle", or "to enclose". It can also mean "to mark or draw a circle". As an adjective, 圈 can mean "circular", "rounded", or "looped".The character 圈 is used in a variety of Chinese words and phrases. Some common examples include:* 圈子 (quānzi): a circle of friends or acquaintances* 圈养 (quānyǎng): to raise animals in captivity* 圈地 (quāndì): to enclose land* 圈套 (quāntào): a trap or snare* 圈点 (quāndiǎn): to mark or annotate a textThe character 圈 is a versatile and commonly used character in Chinese. It is important for HSK learners to understand the meaning and usage of this character in order to communicate effectively in Chinese.