zau1 zou1周遭
Jyutpingzau1 zou1
Yalejāu jōu
Definition
Surroundings; nearby environment or the people and things around oneself.
neutraldescriptionsplaces
How it's used
While 周遭 refers to the immediate vicinity or environment, it carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the ubiquitous 周圍. It is often used in descriptive writing or when discussing abstract social environments, such as the influence of peers or the atmosphere of a workplace. In casual, everyday speech, most people will naturally opt for 周圍 or 四周圍 instead.
Examples
He pays close attention to changes in his surroundings.
Related words
Common phrases
surrounding environment
surrounding atmosphere
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 周遭 as a direct synonym for the adverb 'everywhere', but it functions primarily as a noun describing a location or environment. Avoid using it to mean 'all over the place' in the way one would use 到處 or 周圍.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
