Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
序xù(xu4)
The character 序 (xù) refers to an order or sequence of things, often used in contexts such as organizing items or events. It can also denote a preface in a book, indicating the introductory remarks that set the stage for the main content. This character is commonly encountered in both formal writing and everyday discussions regarding arrangements or organization.
Strokes7Radical广Frequency#18957DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the preface (序言, xùyán) is a significant tradition, where authors express their intentions and context, often adding a personal touch to the work. This practice highlights the importance of order and context in Chinese scholarly writing.
Memory Tip
Imagine a neat row of books on a shelf, where each book has its own sequence. The character 序 looks like a home (the roof) and a pathway (the bottom part) leading in a specific order, reminding you of the organized sequence of books. The pronunciation 'xù' can sound like 'shoe', which you might line up in a specific order before entering a home.
Meanings of 序
xù(xu4)
1order
2sequence
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 序
序Simplified
7Strokes
广Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#18957Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 序
Podcast: 序
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 序
Quick Contrast
序 (xù) vs 次 (cì) — use 序 for a more formal or structured order, while 次 is often used for a sequence in a more casual or numerical context.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a neat row of books on a shelf, where each book has its own sequence. The character 序 looks like a home (the roof) and a pathway (the bottom part) leading in a specific order, reminding you of the organized sequence of books. The pronunciation 'xù' can sound like 'shoe', which you might line up in a specific order before entering a home.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 序 (xù) with 续 (xù), which means 'continue' or 'to follow.' This character is generally used in formal contexts, especially when discussing literary works or events. Common collocations include '序列' (xùliè, sequence) and '序言' (xùyán, preface).
HSK Study Tips
Although 序 is not part of the official HSK levels, it can be useful for learners at the HSK 4-5 level due to its relevance in reading comprehension. Students should focus on understanding its use in written texts, especially in literature and formal documents.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature, the preface (序言, xùyán) is a significant tradition, where authors express their intentions and context, often adding a personal touch to the work. This practice highlights the importance of order and context in Chinese scholarly writing.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 序 with similar-sounding characters like 续. For example, saying '我需要一个序' (I need a continuation) instead of '我需要一个序列' (I need a sequence) can lead to misunderstandings. Always clarify the context to ensure correct usage.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 序
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 序 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 序 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 序
序 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
He works backwards, building a house from the top downwards.
Cultural Notes for 序
💡Did you know?
'序' is often found in classical Chinese literature. It denotes the structure of a work, indicating how thoughts are organized, which reflects the importance of order in traditional Chinese philosophy.
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature, the preface (序言, xùyán) is a significant tradition, where authors express their intentions and context, often adding a personal touch to the work. This practice highlights the importance of order and context in Chinese scholarly writing.
Word Family of 序
Compounds1
垿
Words Containing This Character20
程序chéngxùprocedures
秩序zhìxùorder (orderly)
顺序shùnxùsequence順序
序xùorder
序列sequence
序幕xùmùprologue
排序to sort
次序cìxùsequence
工序gōngxùprocess
无序disorderly無序
程序员programmer程序員
循序渐进xúnxùjiànjìnin sequence, step by step (idiom); to make steady progress incrementally循序漸進
序号ordinal number序號
有序yǒuxùregular
序曲overture
井然有序everything clear and in good order (idiom); neat and tidy
序言xùyánpreface
秩序井然in perfect order
驱动程序device driver (computing software)驅動程序
程序设计computer programming程序設計
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 程序 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 序
序 (xù) generally refers to order or sequence in a more abstract sense, while 顺序 (shùn xù) emphasizes the correct order of things, often in a more practical context. For example, '请按照顺序做' (Please do it in order) uses 顺序 to imply a specific arrangement.
In literature, 序 (xù) is often used to denote the preface of a book, which serves to introduce the themes and context of the text. It sets the stage for readers, providing insight into the author's intentions and the content that follows. This use is quite important in understanding the overall structure of literary works.
序 (xù) means 'order' or 'sequence' in Chinese. It can also refer to a 'preface' in literature, indicating the introductory part of a written work. Understanding the context in which it is used is crucial, as it can have different implications in various situations.
To use 序 (xù) in a sentence, you might say, '这本书的序非常有趣' (The preface of this book is very interesting). This demonstrates its meaning as 'preface'. When discussing sequences, you could say, '请按照序排列这些文件' (Please arrange these documents in order).
You can use 序 to describe the order of items, such as '这些书的序很重要' (The sequence of these books is important).
While it is more common in formal writing, you might hear it in discussions about organization or in literary contexts.
Synonyms include 顺序 (shùnxù, order) and 排列 (páiliè, arrangement).
