adverb / adjective HSK 2
first · earlier · before · in advance
Meaning
先 is a fundamental word meaning 'first' or 'before' in time order. It indicates that something happens prior to something else, or that one action should be completed before another begins. As an adjective, it can mean 'earlier' or 'former'.
Usage
先 is extremely common in everyday speech when describing sequences of actions. It typically appears before a verb to indicate that action happens first. Often used in the pattern 先...再... (first...then...) or 先...然后... (first...then...). Can also mean 'for now' or 'first of all' at the beginning of suggestions.
Examples
- 01我们先吃饭，再看电影。, .Let's eat first, then watch a movie.
- 02你先休息一下吧。.You rest for a bit first.
Common collocations
- 先...再...... ...first...then...
- 先生Mr., sir, husband
- 先后successively, one after another
- 先进advanced, progressive
Antonyms
Origin
Originally depicted a person (人) walking forward, with legs shown above, suggesting going ahead or being first. The character combines the idea of a person advancing before others.