Definitions

(adverb) slowly; gently
(noun) common surname

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 徐 originates from an early representation of the concept of moving or walking slowly, a sense still retained in its core meaning of "gradually" or "gently". Its traditional form is composed of the radical 彳 on the left, which denotes a step or movement, and the component 余 on the right, which primarily served a phonetic function but may also have contributed an associated sense of ease or surplus. While its fundamental meaning of unhurried action has persisted through its history, the character also became established very early as a common surname, a usage derived from the name of an ancient territory and entirely independent of its adverbial meaning, thus allowing the character to carry these two distinct significances concurrently.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

明是我的朋友。

Xú Míng shì wǒ de péngyou.

Xu Ming is my friend.

微风吹来。

Wēifēng xúxú chuī lái.

The breeze blows gently.

老师教我们数学。

Xú lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

Teacher Xu teaches us math.

步走入公园里。

Xú bù zǒu rù gōngyuán lǐ.

Walk slowly into the park.

地放下杯子。

Tā xúxú de fàngxià bēizi.

He slowly put down the cup.

风吹过湖面,泛起层层涟漪。

Xú fēng chuīguò húmiàn, fàn qǐ céngcéng liányī.

The gentle wind blows across the lake, raising ripples.

经济发展需图渐进。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn xū xútú jiànjìn.

Economic development needs to proceed gradually.

缓的旋律营造出宁静的氛围。

Xúhuǎn de xuánlǜ yíngzào chū níngjìng de fēnwéi.

The slow melody creates a peaceful atmosphere.