轮流 (lún liú) is a verb meaning 'to take turns' — doing something in a repeated, alternating sequence among two or more people or groups. The character 轮 (lún) means 'wheel' or 'cycle', suggesting repetition and rotation; 流 (liú) means 'flow' or 'stream', evoking continuity and orderly progression. Together, they convey the idea of actions flowing smoothly from one person to the next in a cyclical pattern.

This word is commonly used in everyday situations involving shared responsibilities or fair access: classroom activities, household chores, sports drills, meeting speaking time, or even children’s games. It implies fairness, cooperation, and structured alternation — not random or spontaneous switching. While often used as a verb (e.g., 我们轮流发言), it can also function adverbially (e.g., 轮流做), and occasionally appears as a noun meaning 'a turn' in fixed phrases like 轮流制 (the rotation system).