徐 (xú) — (literary, stative verb/adverb) slow; slowly; gently
Definition
Literary word for 'slow / slowly' — used in writing, not in everyday speech, and often pairs with 步 or 行 to describe gentle movement.
(literary, stative verb/adverb) slowslowlygently
Examples
- 徐，。Wēi fēng xú lái, dài lái yì sī liáng yì.A gentle breeze came slowly, bringing a hint of coolness.
- 徐。Tā xú bù zǒu guò cháng láng.He walked slowly through the long corridor.
- 徐。Lǎo rén xú háng zài tián jiān xiǎo lù shang.The old man walked slowly along the path through the fields.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
Meaning part形符xíngfú
彳彳chìwalk slowly
Sound part声符shēngfú
余
余yú徐xú
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.
The left part 彳 shows walking slowly, while the right part 余 gives the character its sound.
Appears in
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