verb / adverb HSK 5
Traditional 優先
to prioritize · to give priority to · priority · preferential
Meaning
优先 means to treat something as more important or to handle it before other things. It combines 优 (excellent, superior) and 先 (first, before), literally meaning 'excellent-first' or 'superior-first'. The word is used both as a verb meaning 'to prioritize' and as an adverb/adjective describing priority status.
Usage
Commonly used in formal and business contexts to discuss priorities, preferences, or special treatment. Often appears in patterns like '优先考虑' (prioritize considering) or '优先权' (priority rights). Can function adverbially before verbs to mean 'preferentially' or 'first'.
Examples
- 01我们应该优先考虑儿童和老人的安全。.We should prioritize the safety of children and the elderly.
- 02这个项目很紧急，请优先处理。, .This project is very urgent, please handle it as a priority.
Characters
Common collocations
- 优先考虑to give priority consideration to
- 优先权priority rights, preference
- 优先级priority level
- 优先处理to handle with priority
Antonyms
Origin
Compound word combining 优 (superior quality) with 先 (temporal priority), creating the meaning of giving superior or preferential priority to something.