Meaning
循环 refers to a process that repeats in a continuous pattern, returning to its starting point. It can describe physical circulation (like blood or water) or abstract cycles (like patterns, routines, or systems). The word emphasizes the recurring, cyclical nature of the process.
Usage
Commonly used in scientific, technical, and formal contexts. Native speakers use it to describe repeating processes in nature (水循环 'water cycle'), systems (经济循环 'economic cycle'), or computer programming (循环语句 'loop statement'). It can function as both a verb ('to cycle/circulate') and a noun ('a cycle').
Examples
- 01血液在体内不断循环。.Blood continuously circulates in the body.
- 02这个程序会循环执行五次。.This program will execute in a loop five times.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个循环
- 次一次循环
Common collocations
- 循环系统circulatory system
- 恶性循环vicious cycle
- 良性循环virtuous cycle
- 水循环water cycle
Antonyms
Origin
循 originally means 'to follow' or 'go along,' while 环 means 'ring' or 'encircle.' Together they create the image of following a circular path that returns to its beginning.