HSK · Level 104
45 words
Chinese word
序
Pronunciation
Pinyinxù
Meaning
- nounpreface
Example
我先读了这本书的序。wǒ xiān dú le zhè běn shū de xù
I read the preface to this book first.
More examples
作者在书的序言里说明了写作动机。zuò zhě zài shū de xù yán lǐ shuō míng le xiě zuò dòng jī
The author explained the reason for writing in the book's preface.
Core concept
A short guide at the threshold of a larger work, laying out its purpose and route before the main text begins.
Common phrases
序言xù yán
preface
序文xù wén
foreword
Similar words
前言qián yán: Opening remarks that state a book's purpose and main idea and offer reading guidance.
序言xù yán: A brief opening account of why a work was written and what the writer intended.
序文xù wén: A short introductory text before a book that gives its overview and main idea.
Definition in Chinese
书刊或论文等正文之前的导语，通常交代创作动机、内容概况或阅读指引，帮助读者进入正文。shū kān huò lùn wén děng zhèng wén zhī qián de dáo yǔ tōng cháng jiāo dài chuàng zuò dòng jī nèi róng gài kuàng huò yuè dú zhí yǐn bāng zhù dú zhě jìn rù zhèng wén
Word origin
Historically, 序 (xù, "preface") grew from the idea of order or arrangement to a text placed first to organize a reader's entry into the main work.
Usage tips
- In modern Chinese, this is mainly a written-book term, so recognizing it is more useful for reading than for casual conversation.
Other meanings
- opening chapternoun
Opposites
- 结尾jié wěiendingnoun
- 后记hòu jìafterwordnoun
Related words
- 序言xù yánprefacenoun
- 序文xù wénforewordnoun
- 序章xù zhāngopening chapternoun