序言 (xù yán) — preface; introductory remarks; preamble; prelude | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

序言 is the written preface or introductory text of a book or article. Compared to 开场白 (spoken opening remarks for a speech or meeting) and 序幕 (a dramatic prologue), 序言 is specifically the written preface that precedes a text.

noun

prefaceintroductory remarkspreambleprelude

Examples

序言。
Zhè běn shū de xù yán xiě dé hěn hǎo.
The preface of this book is well-written.
，序言。
Huì yì kāi shǐ qián, xiān dú yí xià xù yán.
Before the meeting starts, first read the preamble.
序言。
Zhè wèi zuò jiā wèi zì jǐ de zuò pǐn xiě le xù yán.
This writer wrote a preface for his own work.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

序xùintroduction

The 序 is the introduction and the 言 are words, giving the idea of words placed before a text.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

广予序

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

予

予yǔ序xù

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

序 combines 广 and 予; 予 gives the sound, while 广 marks the meaning.

An abstract idea shown by a mark or a diagram rather than by a picture of an object.

The early form of 言 shows an opening and a mark indicating a location; the location is not described as the source of speech.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 HSK 2.0 Level 6

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