Definition
序言 (xù yán) is the standard word for a written preface or introductory remarks in a book or document. 序 (xù) is a shorter, bound-form variant used in compound titles (e.g. 自序 'author's preface'), while 序幕 (xù mù) refers to a prologue in a play or film, not a book. 开场白 (kāi chǎng bái) is the spoken opening of a speech or performance.
noun
prefaceintroductory remarkspreambleprelude
Easily confused
- 预言yù yánlook-alike(verb) to predict, to foretell
Examples
- 序言。Zhè běn shū de xù yán xiě de hěn hǎo.The preface of this book is well-written.
- ，序言。Huìyì kāishǐ qián, xiān dú yíxià xù yán.Before the meeting starts, first read the preamble.
- 序言。Zhè wèi zuòjiā wèi zìjǐ de zuòpǐn xiě le xù yán.This writer wrote a preface for his own work.
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