绕
rào · HSK 5
circle
🌀 绕 = 纟(silk thread) + 尧 (rao, phonetic) — thread winding around
The 纟 radical signals thread or string, and 尧 (yáo/rào) supplies the sound. Together: thread that coils, winds, or goes around — hence 'circle, coil, wind around'.
绕 — silk radical 纟 + 尧 (yáo, phonetic)
A semantic-phonetic compound. The silk radical 纟 hints at the original meaning of winding or wrapping thread around something, while 尧 supplies the sound (yáo → rào). From 'wind/coil' it extended to 'go around, encircle, detour,' the senses common today.