Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== zhōu: 周 - Week, Cycle, Around, Thorough, Zhou (Dynasty/Surname) ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** zhōu, 周, meaning of zhou, Chinese for week, cycle in Chinese, Zhou Dynasty, around in Chinese, thorough in Chinese, zhou character, zhou surname, 周末, 上周, 下周. * **Summary:** The Chinese character **周 (zhōu)** is a fundamental and versatile word that most beginners first learn to mean "week". However, its meaning extends far beyond the calendar, embodying the core concepts of a "cycle," "circumference," or "completeness." From discussing your weekend plans (周末, zhōumò) and describing the area **around** you (周围, zhōuwéi), to praising someone's **thorough** service (周到, zhōudào), **周 (zhōu)** is everywhere. It is also the name of the historically significant **Zhou Dynasty** and a very common Chinese surname. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** zhōu * **Part of Speech:** Noun, Adjective, Verb, Adverb * **HSK Level:** HSK 2 (Character itself), HSK 1 (in words like 周末) * **Concise Definition:** A cycle, most commonly a week; to encircle or surround; all-around or thorough. * **In a Nutshell:** Think of **周 (zhōu)** as a complete loop or circuit. This core idea of a "full circle" is why it can mean a "week" (a 7-day cycle), "around" (the circle of space surrounding something), and "thorough" (covering a full cycle of details with nothing missed). It's a word that connects time, space, and completeness. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * The character 周 is a pictogram. The outer frame represents a boundary or a field, and the inner part (originally different, now resembling 吉) suggests something contained or complete within that boundary. A simple way to remember it is as a field (田) that has been fully and carefully planted, representing a complete, well-managed area. This visual reinforces its meanings of "completeness," "cycle," and "encompassing." ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== * **The Zhou Dynasty (周朝, Zhōu Cháo):** The most significant cultural meaning of **周 (zhōu)** comes from the Zhou Dynasty (c. 1046–256 BC). It was the longest-ruling dynasty in Chinese history and is considered a golden age when foundational Chinese philosophy flourished. Thinkers like Confucius (孔子) and Laozi (老子), the founder of Taoism, lived during this period. The Zhou Dynasty established the concept of the "Mandate of Heaven" (天命, Tiānmìng), which shaped Chinese political thought for millennia. This historical weight is why 周 is one of the most common surnames in China today. * **Cycles vs. Linear Time:** In Western culture, time is often perceived as linear—a straight line from past to present to future. The character **周 (zhōu)** taps into a more cyclical understanding of time, common in Chinese thought. Just as a week (周) repeats, so do seasons, years (in the zodiac cycle), and even historical eras. This concept of cycles provides a sense of pattern, renewal, and predictability, which is a comforting and foundational worldview. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== * **Talking About Time (The Week):** This is the most frequent use for learners. It's used to form all the basic "week" related words. * **周末 (zhōumò):** Weekend (literally "week's end") * **上周 (shàngzhōu):** Last week * **下周 (xiàzhōu):** Next week * **本周 (běnzhōu):** This week * **周一, 周二... 周日 (zhōuyī, zhōu'èr... zhōurì):** Monday, Tuesday... Sunday. * **Describing Space (Around/Surrounding):** It's used to talk about the physical space encompassing something. * **周围 (zhōuwéi):** Surroundings, vicinity. * **四周 (sìzhōu):** All around, on all four sides. * **Expressing Completeness (Thorough/Thoughtful):** This usage often carries a very positive connotation of being meticulous and considerate. * **周到 (zhōudào):** Thoughtful, considerate, thorough (often used to praise service). * **周全 (zhōuquán):** Comprehensive, all-encompassing. * **As a Surname:** You will frequently encounter people with the surname 周, such as 周老师 (Teacher Zhou) or 周经理 (Manager Zhou). ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 你这个**周**末有什么计划吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ zhège **zhōu**mò yǒu shéme jìhuà ma? * English: Do you have any plans this weekend? * Analysis: This is one of the first phrases a beginner learns. **周末** is a fixed and extremely common word. * **Example 2:** * 我上**周**去北京出差了。 * Pinyin: Wǒ shàng **zhōu** qù Běijīng chūchāi le. * English: I went to Beijing on a business trip last week. * Analysis: **上周** (last week) and **下周** (next week) are essential for making plans and recounting events. * **Example 3:** * 我们学校**周**围有很多好吃的饭馆。 * Pinyin: Wǒmen xuéxiào **zhōu**wéi yǒu hěnduō hǎochī de fànguǎn. * English: There are a lot of delicious restaurants around our school. * Analysis: Here, **周围** demonstrates the spatial meaning of "surroundings" or "vicinity." * **Example 4:** * 这家酒店的服务非常**周**到。 * Pinyin: Zhè jiā jiǔdiàn de fúwù fēicháng **zhōu**dào. * English: The service at this hotel is extremely thoughtful and thorough. * Analysis: **周到** is a high-praise adjective. It implies that the service staff thought of everything, completing a full "cycle" of the customer's needs. * **Example 5:** * **周**一通常是一周中最忙的一天。 * Pinyin: **Zhōu**yī tōngcháng shì yī zhōu zhōng zuì máng de yī tiān. * English: Monday is usually the busiest day of the week. * Analysis: This shows the simple pattern **周** + number to name the days of the week. Note that Sunday is 周日 (rì - sun), not 周七. * **Example 6:** * 为了安全，请检查一下**四**周的环境。 * Pinyin: Wèile ānquán, qǐng jiǎnchá yīxià **sìzhōu** de huánjìng. * English: For safety, please check the surroundings on all four sides. * Analysis: **四周** is more specific than **周围**, emphasizing all directions (north, south, east, west). * **Example 7:** * 这个项目的生命**周**期大约是三年。 * Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de shēngmìng **zhōu**qī dàyuē shì sān nián. * English: The life cycle of this project is about three years. * Analysis: **周期** (cycle, period) clearly illustrates the core meaning of a recurring loop. It's used in technical, business, and scientific contexts. * **Example 8:** * 去年是我们结婚十**周**年纪念日。 * Pinyin: Qùnián shì wǒmen jiéhūn shí **zhōu**nián jìniànrì. * English: Last year was our tenth wedding anniversary. * Analysis: **周年** means "anniversary" (literally "a full cycle of a year"). * **Example 9:** * **周**朝在中国历史上非常重要。 * Pinyin: **Zhōu** Cháo zài Zhōngguó lìshǐ shàng fēicháng zhòngyào. * English: The Zhou Dynasty is very important in Chinese history. * Analysis: This shows the historical usage of **周** as a proper noun. * **Example 10:** * 你好，请问是**周**先生吗？ * Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn shì **Zhōu** xiānshēng ma? * English: Hello, excuse me, are you Mr. Zhou? * Analysis: A simple, practical example of **周** used as a common surname. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **周 (zhōu) vs. 星期 (xīngqī) vs. 礼拜 (lǐbài):** This is a key point of confusion. All three can mean "week." * **星期 (xīngqī):** The most common and standard term for "week" in mainland China, especially in spoken language. E.g., "这个星期" (this week). * **周 (zhōu):** Also very common, especially in writing and in fixed expressions like **上周** (last week), **下周** (next week), and **周末** (weekend). You would rarely say "上个星期" instead of "上周". * **礼拜 (lǐbài):** More colloquial and common in certain regions (like the South) and in Taiwan. It originally means "to worship" and is tied to the Christian day of worship, so it's less formal. * **Rule of Thumb:** Use **星期** for general conversation about "this week" or "how many weeks". Use **周** for "last/next week" and "weekend". * **Don't Forget the Other Meanings:** Because learners are taught "week" first, they often forget that **周** can mean "around" or "thorough." If you see it in a word like **周到** or **周围**, remember to think "cycle" or "circle," not "week." ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[周末]] (zhōumò) - Weekend. The most common compound word using 周. * [[周围]] (zhōuwéi) - Surroundings, vicinity. Relates to the spatial meaning of "around." * [[周到]] (zhōudào) - Thoughtful, thorough. Relates to the conceptual meaning of "complete." * [[周年]] (zhōunián) - Anniversary. A "year cycle." * [[周期]] (zhōuqī) - Period, cycle. The most direct term for the abstract concept of a cycle. * [[星期]] (xīngqī) - Week. The most common synonym for 周 when talking about a week. * [[礼拜]] (lǐbài) - Week. A more colloquial synonym for 周. * [[循环]] (xúnhuán) - To cycle, to circulate. A verb that describes the process of completing a cycle. * [[周朝]] (Zhōu Cháo) - The Zhou Dynasty. The important historical and cultural origin of the character's prominence. * [[环绕]] (huánrào) - To encircle, to revolve around. A synonym for the verb usage of 周.