Pinyin initial: "xu"

The Pinyin initial "xu" is used in the first half of Pinyin syllables. In MandarinBanana's mnemonic system, "xu" belongs to the group of Pinyin initials which are represented in mnemonics by deities. You can visit the Pinyin index to see all Pinyin syllables from this mnemonic group, or to see all Pinyin syllables "xu" can appear in.

Mnemonics for xu

Xu is for Xu Xian.

Characters with xu

variant of 勛|勋[xun1]
to search / to look for / to seek

= + : Mnemonic symbol: a dowsing rod 寻水术. Not to be confused with 丫!

Xu Xian (xu) built a new dowsing rod (寻) which he tests just inside the Erechtheion's entrance ((e)n2). He prepared a huge pig snout (彐) of which he filled one nostril with water and one with wine. To his satisfaction, the dowsing rod reacts only to the wine, so he thumbs up (寸) satisfied. He'll go and search (寻) more wine with it immediately.
to learn / to study / to imitate / science / -ology

= + + : Xu Xian wants to study scienceology and learn more about daisies. Just inside the elevator's kitchen, he put some daisies into a prize cup and covered them with a cooking top. He wants to study the growth rate of the daisies depending on the pH of the water in the prize cup.
to allow / to permit / to promise / to praise / somewhat / perhaps

= + : Xu Xian just loves having lunch in the space station. In fact he loves it so much that he calls mission control to get permission to praise it on an advertising column. After he got the permission, he smears his lunch all over the advertising column.
surname Xu
to ask about / to inquire about

= + : Xu Xian (xu) is interested in fasting for ten days (旬). In the encampment's kitchen ((e)n2) he finds an interactive advertising column (讠) and inquires (询) about pros and cons.
to choose / to pick / to select / to elect

= + : Xu Xian (xu) squired the FLOTUS (先) to go shopping, but inside of the anthill (an3) he soon regrets his decision as he has to help the FLOTUS select (选) one pair of gladiator sandals (辶) out of hundreds of similar looking pairs.
abbr. for Syria 敘利亞|叙利亚[Xu4 li4 ya4]

= + : From time to time Xu Xian (xu) gets very lonely on the space station. In times like these he sits in his sedan chair (余) in the bathroom (Ø4) and chats (叙) with a boxing glove (又) on which he drew a face.
to continue / to replenish

= + : Xu Xian (xu) and the silk worm (纟) are running a flea market (卖) In the space station's bathroom (Ø4) to replenish (续) their cash box. To keep it running continuously (续) they are standing behind their table in turns (续).
beginnings / clues / mental state / thread

= + : The Sun King (者) is in a very bad mood (绪) because he lost an important battle. He is grieving in the space station's bathroom (Ø4). Finally he decides to send a sacrifice to the gods, so he orders Xu Xian (xu) to take the silk worm (纟) and throw it into the sun. Xu Xian leaves instantly through the bathroom's porthole.
to abdicate / modest / yielding / unpretentious / inferior to / (slang) to suck

= + : Xu Xian (xu) decided to abdicate (逊). In the encampment's bathroom ((e)n4) he hands his gladiator sandals (辶) to his grandson (孙) who will take over his job.
must / to have to / to wait

= + : Xu Xian (xu) received some important papers (页) in front of the space station (Ø1). In the paper it is written that he has to (须) get rid of his fake Santa Claus beard (彡) as well as his nice 八-shape moustache (须; 八字胡须), so Xu Xian is quite desperate has he loves his beards.
to teach / to train / to admonish / instruction (from superiors) / teachings / rule

= + : Lately the water level has risen and now a river (川) is flowing through the encampment's bathroom ((e)n4). Xu Xian (xu) takes this opportunity to set up an advertising column (讠) and advertise his swimming instruction courses (训).
emptiness / void / abstract theory or guiding principles / empty or unoccupied / diffident or timid / false / humble or modest / (of health) weak / virtual / in vain

= + : Xu Xian (xu) and the bullfrog (业) were preparing for a football game in front of the space station (Ø1) and had already painted eye black stripes (虍) onto each other when suddenly a black hole (虚) appeared and sucked their eye black off again before collapsing.
to question / to ask / to interrogate / rapid / speedy / fast / news / information

= + : Since Xu Xian (xu) invented his jet pack (卂) in the encampment's bathroom ((e)n4) he is giving many interviews. The journalists question (讯) him through an advertising column (讠) with a video telephony panel.
fumes from sacrifice
surname Xue / vassal state during the Zhou Dynasty (1046-256 BC)
wormwood like grass (classical)
surname Xuan
pavilion with a view / high / tall / high fronted, curtained carriage (old)