环绕 huánrào to surround
to surround; to circle; to revolve around
How to remember 环绕: 环 ring + 绕 to entwine = to surround.
Characters
How it is used
- To encircle / revolve around - 群山环绕 (qúnshān huánrào) surrounded by mountains; 月亮环绕地球 (yuèliang huánrào dìqiú) the moon orbits Earth.
- Emphasizes a ring going all the way around, unlike 围 alone; also in tech: 环绕立体声 (huánrào lìtǐshēng) surround sound.
- Compare 围绕 (wéirào), which is more often figurative (围绕主题, revolve around a topic); 环绕 leans physical encirclement.
Example sentences
- 让卫星环绕地球的是重力。 Ràng wèixīng huánrào dìqiú de shì zhònglì.It's gravity that makes satellites move around the Earth.
- 这将是我环绕美国旅行中一个很好的纪念品。 Zhè jiāng shì wǒ huánrào měiguó lǚxíng zhōng yígè hěn hǎo de jìniànpǐn.This will be a good souvenir of my trip around the United States.