周 is also the simplified spelling of 週.

周

Mandarin · pinyin zhōu#

Meanings · zhōu

  1. to make a circuit
  2. to circle
  3. circle
  4. circumference
  5. lap
  6. cycle
  7. complete
  8. all
  9. all over
  10. thorough
  11. to help financially
Mandarin · pinyin Zhōu#

Meanings · Zhōu

  1. surname Zhou
  2. Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC)
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Characters in this entry

周
zhōu · Zhou dynasty; circumference
Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

1 · zhou1

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 17 senses · 1 Cantonese reading

Rime Cantonese 粵拼

zau1

Cantonese word readings for 周. This lexicon supplies readings, not definitions.

CanCLID contributors · CC BY 4.0 · source & license · Data pack

Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

character · Etymology 1

  1. to circle; to encircle
  2. circle; circumference
  3. whole
  4. to extend everywhere
  5. thorough; complete; comprehensive
  6. (obsolete) side; periphery
  7. (obsolete) to suit
  8. to help (e.g. financially); to relieve
  9. (Cantonese, chiefly in the passive) to reprimand with authority; to catch
  10. Classifier for circuits.; circuit; revolution
  11. (hi-fi jargon) hertz
  12. (historical) name of various dynasties — (~朝) Zhou Dynasty (1046—256 BCE)
  13. (historical) name of various dynasties — Northern Zhou (557—581), one of the Northern dynasties in China
  14. (historical) name of various dynasties — Wu Zhou (690–705), established by Wu Zetian
  15. (historical) name of various dynasties — Later Zhou (951–960), one of the Five Dynasties in China
  16. a surname

character · Etymology 3

  1. (Cantonese) penis (Classifier: 條/条 c)

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source & license · Data pack

周 · zhou1 · Zhou1
CC-CEDICT contributors and MDBG · edition 2026-10-13 · source lines 20,935, 20,934
Original dictionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source & transformation details
Exact source records周 周 [zhou1] /to make a circuit/to circle/circle/circumference/lap/cycle/complete/all/all over/thorough/to help financially/周 周 [Zhou1] /surname Zhou/Zhou Dynasty (1046–256 BC)/