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緒 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
緒xùmental state; thread, cluex, 14 strokes, radical 糹
xù(xu4) T4
  1. 1mental state; thread, clue
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March 24, 2026

緒xù(xu4)

The character 緒 (xù) primarily refers to a thread or clue, often in a metaphorical sense related to mental states or connections. It is commonly used in phrases that describe the beginning of a thought process or the linking of ideas and emotions.

Strokes14Radical糹
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the idea of threads often symbolizes connections between people and ideas, reflecting the importance of relationships and communication. This is evident in phrases like '情緒' (qíngxù), which means emotions, where the concept of threads ties feelings together.

Memory Tip

Imagine a delicate thread connecting your thoughts together. The character 緒 resembles threads woven together, symbolizing how ideas can be intertwined (the left part represents silk threads). To remember the pronunciation 'xù', think of 'sue' with a thread that connects clues in a mystery.

Meanings of 緒

xù(xu4)
1mental state; thread, clue
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 緒 means.

About 緒

緒Simplified
14Strokes
糹Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 緒

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Podcast: 緒

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AI Study Notes for 緒

Quick Contrast

线 (xiàn) refers specifically to a physical thread or line, while 緒 (xù) has a more abstract connotation related to thoughts or connections.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 緒, as it is more formal and often appears in literary or philosophical discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 織 (zhī), which means to weave; remember that 緒 focuses on the concept of threads or clues rather than the act of weaving.

HSK Study Tips

Since 緒 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on its usage in literary texts and idiomatic expressions. Relate it to other characters that involve threads or connections, such as 線 (xiàn, line) and 結 (jié, to tie) to strengthen understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 緒 with similar-looking characters like 絮 (xù), which means cotton or to talk incessantly. Remember, 緒 relates to threads and connections, while 絮 focuses on material or chatter.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 緒

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Etymology of 緒

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 纟 represents the meaning and 者 represents the sound. Simplified form of 緒.

Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)糹
+
Phonetic (sound)者
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

緒 = 糹 + 者. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 緒

IDS Structure⿰糹者
緒Full Character
=
糹si1
left
者zhe3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 緒?

How to say mental state; thread, clue in Chinese

“mental state; thread, clue” in Chinese is緒xù

The character 緒 (xù) primarily refers to a thread or clue, often in a metaphorical sense related to mental states or connections. It is commonly used in phrases that describe the beginning of a thought process or the linking of ideas and emotions.

When to use 緒

Be mindful of the context when using 緒, as it is more formal and often appears in literary or philosophical discussions. A common mistake is to confuse it with 織 (zhī), which means to weave; remember that 緒 focuses on the concept of threads or clues rather than the act of weaving.

緒 or something close to it

线 (xiàn) refers specifically to a physical thread or line, while 緒 (xù) has a more abstract connotation related to thoughts or connections.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 緒 with similar-looking characters like 絮 (xù), which means cotton or to talk incessantly. Remember, 緒 relates to threads and connections, while 絮 focuses on material or chatter.

Write 緒

緒

Practice writing 緒 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Word Family of 緒

Words Containing This Character19
情绪qíngxùmood情緒
头绪outline頭緒
就绪to be ready就緒
思绪mood思緒
情绪化emotional情緒化
光绪reign name of penultimate Qing emperor Guangxu or Guang-hsu (1875-1908)光緒
绪xùclues緒
心绪mood心緒
闹情绪to be in a bad mood鬧情緒
千头万绪plethora of things to tackle千頭萬緒
愁绪melancholy愁緒
心绪不宁unquiet state of mind心緒不寧
绪论introduction緒論
索绪尔Saussure (name)索緒爾
别绪emotions at time of parting別緒
绪言introduction緒言
离情别绪sad feeling at separation (idiom)離情別緒
余绪vestigial residue餘緒
端绪clue端緒
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 緒

What does 情绪 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 緒

Phrases like '緒論' (xùlùn, introduction) and '緒情' (xùqíng, emotional state) illustrate its usage in connecting ideas and emotions.

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