先

xiān
HSK 3
#188 most
frequent character
early, prior, former, in advance
adverb
adjective

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

先 was once written with 止 foot and 儿 person. It first meant 'to move forward'. From there came 'front, ahead' and 'former'. The foot part is now written ⺧.

先 as a component in other characters

sound9 characters
选洗宪酰诜铣跣冼筅
picture1 character
兟

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Example Sentences

他先到学校。
tā xiāndào xuéxiào 。
He arrived at school first.
我先吃饭，然后学习。
wǒxiān chīfàn ， ránhòu xuéxí 。
I will eat first, then study.
先做功课，再看电视。
xiān zuò gōngkè ， zàikàn diànshì 。
Do your homework first, then watch TV.

Words with similar meanings

首先shǒuxiān
first of all
这个词强调的是开始的顺序，通常用于引入一系列活动。
之前zhīqián
before
这个词通常用于表示时间上的先后，非常接近于“先”的意思。

Words Starting With 先

先生xiān sheng
"teacher; Mister (Mr.); husband; doctor (topolect)
先前xiān qián
before; previously
先进xiān jìn
advanced (technology); to advance

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