Learn a Chinese Character - 轮

1. Character Basics

Radical: 车 (chē, vehicle radical)

Stroke Count: 8

Stroke Order:

2. Pronunciation

Pinyin: lún (Second tone)

3. Meaning

Wheel, to take turns, round, cycle

4. Common Words

• 车轮 (chēlún) - wheel
• 轮流 (lúnliú) - to take turns, to rotate
• 一轮 (yīlún) - one round, one cycle
• 轮胎 (lúntāi) - tire
• 轮廓 (lúnkuò) - outline, contour
• 轮回 (lúnhuí) - samsara, reincarnation, cycle
• 轮流做 (lúnliú zuò) - to take turns doing something
• 车轮战 (chēlúnzhàn) - war of attrition, taking turns attacking

5. Grammar & Usage

The character "轮" has multiple uses in Chinese grammar:

1. As a noun:
- 这辆车的车轮坏了。 (Zhè liàng chē de chēlún huàile.) - The wheel of this car is broken.
- 他画了一个圆形的轮廓。 (Tā huàle yīgè yuánxíng de lúnkuò.) - He drew a circular outline.

2. As a verb:
- 我们轮流打扫教室。 (Wǒmen lúnliú dǎsǎo jiàoshì.) - We take turns cleaning the classroom.
- 他们轮流值班。 (Tāmen lúnliú zhíbān.) - They take turns being on duty.

3. As a measure word:
- 第一轮比赛 (dì yī lún bǐsài) - the first round of the competition
- 新一轮谈判 (xīn yī lún tánpàn) - a new round of negotiations

4. In idioms and set phrases:
- 轮流坐庄 (lúnliú zuòzhuāng) - to take turns being in charge
- 车轮滚滚 (chēlún gǔngǔn) - wheels rolling (describing a busy scene with many vehicles)
- 轮番上阵 (lúnfān shàngzhèn) - to take turns entering the fray

6. Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, the concept of "轮" (wheel) has symbolic significance. The wheel represents cycles, continuity, and movement. This is reflected in the use of "轮" in terms like 轮回 (lúnhuí, samsara or reincarnation) in Buddhist philosophy, which teaches the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Additionally, the idea of taking turns (轮流) is deeply rooted in Chinese social interactions, emphasizing fairness and shared responsibility. In modern times, "轮" is widely used in various contexts, from transportation to sports competitions, highlighting its versatility and importance in everyday life.

7. Example Sentence

8. Memory Tips

The character "轮" consists of 车 (chē, vehicle) on the left and 仑 (lún) on the right. You can remember this character by associating "车" with a vehicle and "仑" with the sound "lún". Together, they represent the wheel of a vehicle (车轮). Alternatively, visualize a wheel turning round and round, which connects both the form and meaning of the character. The left part "车" indicates that this character is related to vehicles or movement.