Xu (a Chinese surname or given-name element) is pronounced with a rounded, high front vowel followed by a palatal sibilant consonant; in English contexts it is often approximated as /ɕyˈu/ or /ɕyˈuː/. It is a two-syllable sequence where the first syllable is a high, front, unrounded or slightly rounded vowel preceding a soft, alveolo-palatal fricative, and the second syllable bears primary stress. In natural speech you may hear a light gliding between the vowels, producing a smooth, silk-like articulation.
Full pronunciation guide
