先

MEANING

1. 壹副adverb

   beforehand; first; earlier

   中在其他事情之前；最先zài qítā shìqing zhīqián；zuì xiān

   • nǐxiānzǒuba.

     你先走吧。🔊

     You go ahead first.

   • Chīfànqiánnǐxiānxǐshǒu。

     吃饭前你先洗手。🔊

     Wash your hands before eating.

   ▾+ 1 more example for this meaning

   • gùtiānjiāngjiàngdàrènyúshìrényě，bìxiānkǔqíxīnzhì，láoqíjīngǔ，èqítǐfū，kōngfáqíshēn，xíngfúluànqísuǒwèi，suǒyǐdòngxīnrěnxìng，céngyìqísuǒbùnéng。

     故天将降大任于是人也，必先苦其心志，劳其筋骨，饿其体肤，空乏其身，行拂乱其所为，所以动心忍性，曾益其所不能。🔊

     Therefore, when Heaven is about to entrust a person with a great mission, it first embitters his mind and will, wearies his muscles and bones, starves his body and flesh, depletes his resources, and thwarts his every endeavor — all in order to stir his heart, strengthen his endurance, and develop capacities he did not possess before.

2. 貳副adverb

   at first; originally

   中在其他事情之前；最初zài qítā shìqing zhīqián；zuì chū

   • nǐxiānzǒuba.

     你先走吧。🔊

     You go ahead.

   • Wǒmenxiāntǎolùnzhègewèntí，zàizuòjuédìng。

     我们先讨论这个问题，再做决定。🔊

     Let's discuss the issue first, then make a decision.

3. 參副adverb

   for the time being; for now

   中在别的事情之前；优先zài biéde shìqing zhīqián；yōuxiān

   • Nǐxiānzuòzhe,wǒqùnáyīxiàcàidān.

     你先坐着，我去拿一下菜单。🔊

     You have a seat, I'll go grab the menu.

4. 肆名noun

   (prefix) my late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself)

   中已经去世的长辈yǐjīng qùshì de zhǎngbèi

   • zhèshìwǒdexiānfù.

     这是我的先父。🔊

     This is my late father.

   • Xiānmǔshífēnxǐhuānzhònghuā.

     先母十分喜欢种花。🔊

     My late mother was very fond of growing flowers.