- 兜圈子 dōuquānzi to beat around the bushTo speak in a roundabout way or be evasive rather than speaking frankly; can also describe getting stuck on minor details when thinking about a problem.
- 绕圈子 ràoquānzi to go in circlesTo circle or go round and round; to take a detour or follow a winding path.
- 小圈子 xiǎoquānzi small circlea small, restricted social circle or narrow range of activities in one's life
- 打圈子 dǎquānzi to circleTo go around in circles or move in a loop.
- 生活圈子 shēnghuóquānzi social circlethe group of people and locations with which one typically interacts in daily life
- 坟圈子 fénquānzi cemeterycemetery; graveyard. Named because burial grounds are often enclosed by a wall.