Definitions
(noun)
week; cycle; period
(verb)
to circle; to make a circuit
(noun)
circumference; perimeter
(adjective)
thorough; complete
Etymology
Depicts a carved jade object, now written as 彫/琱. The meaning later shifted to "circumference" and "cycle". Later the 口 component was added when 周 was used to refer to a geographical region to indicate that the character was only "mouthed", i.e. used for its sound. In simplified Chinese 周 is also used to mean "week", while in traditional Chinese this meaning is written with a separate character 週.
About
The character 周 originated from the concept of densely planted fields, which informed its early associations with closeness and completeness. In its contemporary form, the character is structured with an enclosing 冂 component surrounding the internal elements 土 and 口, a arrangement that results from graphical standardization over time rather than directly mirroring its initial agrarian reference. From these roots, the meaning of 周 extended to denote circumference and surrounding space, adopted to represent cyclical periods like a week, and persists in compounds conveying thoroughness, such as 周到.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
这一周天气很好。
周末我们全家去公园。
他考虑问题非常周全。
她细心周到地照顾客人。
这个计划需要周密安排。
周恩来总理深受人民爱戴。
古代中国有周朝这个朝代。
卫星围绕地球周期性运转。