徐

xú

余 + 彳

Definitions

xú (adverb) slowly; gently

Xú (noun) common surname

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 彳 represents the meaning and 余 represents the sound.

Semantic: 彳 Phonetic: 余

About

徐 is a phonosemantic compound that means 'slowly' or 'gently'. It is structured with the left radical 彳, which indicates walking, taking steps, and movement, and the right component 余. The right-hand element 余 functions as a phonetic marker, providing the sound; independently it means 'I' or 'surplus', but these senses do not determine the character's primary meaning. The movement radical directly associates the character with a physical walking pace, a deliberate, unhurried, relaxed gait without any rush. Beyond the literal motion, 徐 frequently describes the gradual progression of time, gentle winds, a calm and composed demeanor, and it is also used as a common Chinese surname.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

徐明是我的朋友。

Xú Míng shì wǒ de péngyou.

Xu Ming is my friend.

微风徐徐吹来。

Wēifēng xúxú chuī lái.

The breeze blows gently.

徐老师教我们数学。

Xú lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

Teacher Xu teaches us math.

徐步走入公园里。

Xú bù zǒu rù gōngyuán lǐ.

Walk slowly into the park.

他徐徐地放下杯子。

Tā xúxú de fàngxià bēizi.

He slowly put down the cup.

徐风吹过湖面，泛起层层涟漪。

Xú fēng chuīguò húmiàn, fàn qǐ céngcéng liányī.

The gentle wind blows across the lake, raising ripples.

经济发展需徐图渐进。

Jīngjì fāzhǎn xū xútú jiànjìn.

Economic development needs to proceed gradually.

徐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.

Related Characters

Component: 余

Component: 彳

徐