序 (xù) - Sequence, order, arrangement & preface, introduction

序Tone 4

xù ｜ 7 strokes ｜ radical: 广

信嫣

序 · xù

Sequence, order, arrangement;

preface, introduction;

ancient school.

Sequence, order, arrangementpreface, introductionancient school.

Usage highlights

PrefaceOrderSequenceProcedureIntroductionPrologue

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 乱— chaos, disorder
  • 杂— mixed,杂乱

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The book has a preface (序言).
  • Please maintain order (秩序) in the queue.
  • Students study in the school (庠序).
  • The chapters are in chronological sequence (顺序).

Collocations

  • Preface(序言)
  • Order(秩序)
  • Sequence(顺序)
  • Procedure(程序)
  • Introduction(序论)
  • Prologue(序曲)

Idioms

  • Orderly and well-arranged(井然有序)
  • In proper sequence(循序渐进)
  • Foreword and postscript(序跋)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, '序' referred to schools at the local level, such as village schools.
  • Used in classical texts to denote the introductory section of a book, setting the context.
  • Emphasizes the Confucian value of order and hierarchy in society and learning.

FAQ