续 (xù) is a Chinese character meaning “to continue”. It is written from 纟 (silk; thread (left-side form)) and 卖 (to sell), side by side, and takes 11 strokes.
Build the character for “to continue”
Four steps: break it apart, build it, recall it, use it in a word.
StartLearn this character
Structure
纟 + 卖
Left–right structure
Structure from: 说文解字: 續，連也。从糸𧶠聲（声符 𧶠 与「賣」字形相混，现代简化作 卖）; 现代字形 IDS ⿰纟卖 据构建期 IDS 数据核对 hanzi-writer-data 笔画 0–2 / 3–10
Memory aid
A seller (卖) keeps tying on more thread (纟) so the line never breaks — the string goes on and on: to continue.
This is a memory aid, not the historical origin.
Stroke order
11 strokes
In real words
- 继续jì xùto continue; to go on续 = xù
- 连续lián xùcontinuous; in a row; one after another续 = xù
Go deeper
All readings
to continue
to continue; to go on; to extend; to add more
接连不断；接在原有的后面；添加。 — studyhanzi 编写
Words with this reading
- 继续jì xùto continue; to go on续 = xù
- 连续lián xùcontinuous; in a row; one after another续 = xù
Stroke data: hanzi-writer-data (Arphic Public License) · licenses & attributions
Questions people ask about this character
What does 续 mean?
续 (xù) means to continue; to go on; to extend; to add more.
How do you pronounce 续?
It is pronounced xù.
What parts is 续 made of?
纟 (silk; thread (left-side form)) and 卖 (to sell), side by side. The recorded source is: 说文解字: 續，連也。从糸𧶠聲（声符 𧶠 与「賣」字形相混，现代简化作 卖）; 现代字形 IDS ⿰纟卖 据构建期 IDS 数据核对 hanzi-writer-data 笔画 0–2 / 3–10. Components are the building blocks of the shape; the radical used for dictionary lookup is a separate thing.
How many strokes does 续 have?
11. You can watch the stroke order on this page, or trace it yourself.
What is the radical of 续?
纟. The radical is how the character is filed in a dictionary — it is not the whole story of how the character is built.
What words use 续?
Common ones are 继续 and 连续. The reading of 续 is not the same in every word, so each word on this page shows which reading applies.