unknown, 6 strokes, radical 日, rank #15184, Very Hard
旭
xù
rising sun
unknown, 6 strokes, radical 日, rank #15184, Very Hard
xù(xu4) T4
1the rising sun; brilliant, radiant
2dawn
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March 24, 2026
旭xù(xu4)
The character 旭 (xù) refers to the rising sun, symbolizing brightness and the start of a new day. It conveys a sense of hope and renewal, often used in poetic or formal contexts, such as literature or greetings. In modern usage, it can also denote brilliance or radiance in various aspects of life, such as achievements or talents.
Strokes6Radical日Frequency#15184DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the rising sun symbolizes new beginnings and is often associated with auspiciousness. The image of 旭 is commonly used in art and poetry to evoke feelings of hope and renewal, particularly in the context of the Lunar New Year.
Memory Tip
Imagine the sun (日) rising (旭) over a beautiful landscape, casting its brilliant rays. The character's left side (日) represents the sun, while the right side adds a sense of upward movement, like the sun rising higher in the sky. Remembering 'rising sun' can help you recall the pronunciation 'xù'.
Meanings of 旭
xù(xu4)
1the rising sun; brilliant, radiant
2dawn
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 旭
旭Simplified
6Strokes
日Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 旭
Podcast: 旭
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AI Study Notes for 旭
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 旭 with similar characters like 昇 (shēng, to rise) or 朝 (zhāo, morning). It is typically used in more formal contexts, so be mindful of the tone when using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 旭日 (xù rì, rising sun) and 旭光 (xù guāng, the light of the rising sun).
HSK Study Tips
Though not part of the HSK vocabulary, 旭 is a good example for learners at HSK Level 4 or above as it connects to concepts of light and time. Focus on recognizing its components and understanding its symbolic meanings in literature.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is misusing 旭 in contexts related to general rising or elevation; for example, saying 旭水 (xù shuǐ, rising water) instead of using 昇 (shēng) for 'to rise'. Another mistake is confusing it with other time-related characters like 朝 (zhāo) for 'morning'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 旭
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Etymology of 旭
Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声å—)~80-90% of characters
Explanation
Phonosemantic compound. 日 represents the meaning and 九 represents the sound.
旭 = 日 + 九. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 旭
IDS Structure⿺九日
旭Full Character
=
九jiu3
enclosing
日Ri4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 旭?
How to say the rising sun; brilliant, radiant in Chinese
“the rising sun; brilliant, radiant” in Chinese is旭xù
The character 旭 (xù) refers to the rising sun, symbolizing brightness and the start of a new day. It conveys a sense of hope and renewal, often used in poetic or formal contexts, such as literature or greetings. In modern usage, it can also denote brilliance or radiance in various aspects of life, such as achievements or talents.
When to use 旭
Learners often confuse 旭 with similar characters like 昇 (shēng, to rise) or 朝 (zhāo, morning). It is typically used in more formal contexts, so be mindful of the tone when using it in casual conversation. Common collocations include 旭日 (xù rì, rising sun) and 旭光 (xù guāng, the light of the rising sun).
What learners get wrong
A common mistake is misusing 旭 in contexts related to general rising or elevation; for example, saying 旭水 (xù shuǐ, rising water) instead of using 昇 (shēng) for 'to rise'. Another mistake is confusing it with other time-related characters like 朝 (zhāo) for 'morning'.
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旭
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Word Family of 旭
Words Containing This Character4
旭xùdawn
旭日xùrìthe rising sun
张旭Zhang Xu (probably early 8th century), Tang dynasty poet and calligrapher, most famous for his grass script 草書|草书張旭
林旭Lin Xu (1875-1898), one of the Six Gentlemen Martyrs 戊戌六君子[WùxūLiùjūnzi] of the unsuccessful reform movement of 1898
Exercise 1 of 3
Words with 旭
What does 旭日 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 旭
It is pronounced as 'xù', with a falling tone.
It is more commonly found in formal writing or poetry rather than casual conversations.
Common phrases include 旭日 (xù rì) meaning 'rising sun' and 旭光 (xù guāng) meaning 'light of the rising sun'.
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