顺序 (shùn xù) — Chinese Word

noun HSK 4

Traditional 順序

shùn xù

order · sequence · succession

Meaning

顺序 refers to the arrangement or order in which things follow one another. It's commonly used when talking about the sequence of events, steps in a process, or the arrangement of items in a list.

Usage

This is a neutral, formal word appropriate for written and spoken contexts. Native speakers frequently use it when describing procedures, instructions, rankings, or any situation where the arrangement matters. Common patterns include '按照顺序' (according to order) and '顺序排列' (arranged in sequence).

Examples

01
请按照字母顺序排列这些名字。
Qǐng àn zhào zì mǔ shùn xù pái liè zhè xiē míng zì.
Please arrange these names in alphabetical order.
02
你把步骤的顺序搞错了。
Nǐ bǎ bù zhòu de shùn xù gǎo cuò le.
You got the order of the steps wrong.

Characters

Measure words

个gè一个顺序

Common collocations

按顺序
àn shùn xù
in order, according to sequence
顺序排列
shùn xù pái liè
arranged in order
先后顺序
xiān hòu shùn xù
order of priority
打乱顺序
dǎ luàn shùn xù
to disrupt the order

Antonyms

Origin

顺 originally meant 'to follow the flow' and 序 meant 'orderly arrangement'. Together they emphasize following a proper, logical order.