How to Write 叙 (xù) — Meaning “to narrate or chat”

Imagine you are telling a story: you use your right hand (又) to add surplus (余) information to make the tale more interesting. This link to adding extra details helps recall both the shape and the meaning.

Write the left part 余 first: start with 撇 and 捺, then two horizontal strokes, then 竖钩, and finish with 撇 and 点. Then add the right part 又 as 横撇 and 捺. A common mistake is making the left part too wide or forgetting the 竖钩 hook.

叙 has 余 on the left (with a tall 人 top) and 又 on the right, while 叔 has a short 尗 (bean shape) on the left and 又 on the right, and 叕 has four 又 stacked. Remember: 叙 is for narrating, 叔 for uncle, and 叕 is very rare and means "to join".

You will see 叙 in formal or written contexts like 叙述 (to describe) for telling a story in detail, and 叙旧 (to reminisce) when catching up with old friends. It is not used in everyday casual speech, but appears in news, literature, and polite invitations to recall shared memories.

Common words containing 叙 include: 叙述 (xù shù) — to describe or narrate; 叙旧 (xù jiù) — to reminisce or talk about old times; 叙事 (xù shì) — narrative or to narrate events.