徐 meaning and stroke order
Slowly, quietly, calmly; dignified, composed
How to write 徐, stroke by stroke
10 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
Meaning of 徐
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- slowly
- gently
How 徐 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Step.
彳 gives the meaning and 余 hints at the sound.
Radical: 彳 (to step with the left foot), shared by 42 characters on this site.
How to remember 徐
徐 combines 彳 (step) on the left with 余 (yú) on the right, which gives the sound. Picture someone taking small, unhurried steps, walking slowly and calmly.
徐 is mostly literary and appears in set phrases like 徐徐 (xúxú, slowly, gently), often used for wind, curtains, or things rising or descending. Example: 清风徐徐 (qīngfēng xúxú) a cool breeze blows gently.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 徐 with 除 (chú, to remove), which has the same 余 part but uses the 阝 ear radical instead of 彳. Also note the tone: 徐 is second tone xú, while its phonetic part 余 is yú.
Common words with 徐
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 徐徐 | xúxú | slowly; gently | HSK 7-9 |
Questions about 徐
How many strokes are in 徐?
徐 is written with 10 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 徐 mean?
徐 (xú) means slowly, quietly, calmly; dignified, composed. A common word with it is 徐徐 (xúxú), meaning "slowly; gently".
How do you pronounce 徐?
徐 is pronounced xú, in the second tone (rising).
What is the radical of 徐?
The radical of 徐 is 彳, which carries the idea of "to step with the left foot". Dictionaries list 徐 under this radical.
Is 徐 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 徐 is part of the HSK 7-9 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard.
Is 徐 a common Chinese surname?
Yes. 徐 (Xú) is one of the more common surnames in China, as in the painter 徐悲鸿 (Xú Bēihóng). In daily life you will see it as a surname far more often than with the meaning "slowly."
Can I use 徐 instead of 慢 to say slowly in conversation?
Not usually. In everyday speech, use 慢 (màn) or 慢慢 (mànmàn). 徐 sounds written and poetic, so it fits descriptions and set expressions such as 徐徐 rather than casual talk.