How common it is
先 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say xiān slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
先用于表示顺序，比如先做什么再做什么。
xiān yòng yú biǎoshì xùnduì, rúkě xiān zuò shénme zài zuò shénme.
先 is used to indicate order, such as doing one thing before another.
Context note
先常用于日常生活中的顺序安排，比如先吃饭再睡觉。
xiān cháng yòng yú rìjīng shēnghuó zhōng de xùnduì ānzhāng, bǐrú xiān chīfàn zài shuìjiào.
先 is commonly used in daily life to indicate order, such as eating before sleeping.
5 examples
先吃饭，再看书。
xiān chī fàn， zài kàn shū。
Eat first, then read.
先做作业，再玩电脑。
xiān zuò zuò yè， zài wán diàn nǎo。
Do homework first, then play computer games.
先起床，再洗漱。
xiān qǐ chuáng， zài xǐ shù。
Get up first, then wash and groom.
先去超市买菜，再去银行取钱。
xiān qù chāo shì mǎi cài， zài qù yín háng qǔ qián。
Go to the supermarket to buy vegetables first, then go to the bank to withdraw money.
先洗手，再吃饭。
xiān xǐ shǒu， zài chī fàn。
Wash hands first, then eat.
5 mini stories
妈妈说要先做作业才能看电视。爸爸说先看一会儿电视可以放松一下。
mā ma shuō yào xiān zuò zuò yè cái néng kàn diàn shì。 bà ba shuō xiān kàn yí huì er diàn shì kě yǐ fàng sōng yí xià。
Mom said homework should be done before watching TV. Dad said watching TV for a while first can help relax.
老师说先复习旧知识，再学习新内容。
lǎo shī shuō xiān fù xí jiù zhī shi， zài xué xí xīn nèi róng。
The teacher said to review old knowledge before learning new content.
妈妈说要先吃饭，再去公园玩。
mā ma shuō yào xiān chī fàn， zài qù gōng yuán wán。
Mom said we should eat first, then go to the park to play.
爸爸说先整理房间，再出去散步。
bà ba shuō xiān zhěng lǐ fáng jiān， zài chū qù sàn bù。
Dad said to tidy up the room before going out for a walk.
姐姐说要先完成作业，再去玩手机游戏。
jiě jie shuō yào xiān wán chéng zuò yè， zài qù wán shǒu jī yóu xì。
Sister said to finish homework first, then play mobile games.