Meaning Index
Learn Chinese characters with the meaning "circle", including 圆 (yuán), 圈 (quān / juān / juàn). Study pinyin, English meanings, traditional forms…
The English word "circle" covers 2 different Chinese characters — 圆 (yuán), 圈 (quān / juān / juàn) — and each is its own word with its own feel. These 2 characters do not share a sound — their readings span yuán, quān, juān, juàn — so confirm the pinyin and tone for each one separately. The example sentences further down show how 圆 and the others are actually used, so you learn them in context rather than as a single translation.
Anchor each of these 2 characters in a word you can picture — start with 圆 (yuán) — so "circle" turns into concrete usage instead of a one-to-one translation.
Each character below is shown in a short example sentence with pinyin and an English translation — the quickest way to feel the difference between the 2 ways to say "circle".
中秋节的月亮又大又圆。Zhōng qiū jié de yuè liang yòu dà yòu yuán.The moon at the Mid-Autumn Festival is big and round.
Common words: 圆满 (yuán mǎn)、团圆 (tuán yuán)、椭圆 (tuǒ yuán)
大家围成一个圈，做起了游戏。Dà jiā wéi chéng yí ge quān, zuò qǐ le yóu xì.Everyone formed a circle and started playing games.
Common words: 圈套 (quān tào)、圈子 (quān zi)、演艺圈 (yǎn yì quān)
Open 圆、圈 or any character below to hear it read aloud and see it used in an example sentence.