xiān先
先
HSK 1
common
adjective
adverb
noun
Meaning of 先
先 means earlier in time or order (opposite of '后'); indicating an action or event occurs earlier. Pronounced xiān. HSK 1.
- earlier in time or order (opposite of '后')
- indicating an action or event occurs earlier
- temporarily; for the time being
Character Info
Radical儿
Strokes6
Components
牛
儿
Stroke Order
先
Definitions & Examples
Wǒ我
men们
yào要
zhēng争
dāng当
xiān先
jìn进
gōng工
zuò作
zhě者
。
We should strive to be advanced workers.
Zhè这
ge个
fāng方
fǎ法
yǒu有
xiān先
lì例
kě可
xún循
。
There is a precedent for this method.
Wǒ我
men们
yào要
bǎ把
gōng工
zuò作
zuò做
zài在
shì事
qián前
。
We should do our work before the event.
Tā他
zài在
tuán团
duì队
zhōng中
qǐ起
dào到
le了
lǐng领
xiān先
zuò作
yòng用
。
He played a leading role in the team.
Tóng同
xué学
men们
zhēng争
xiān先
kǒng恐
hòu后
de地
huí回
dá答
wèn问
tí题
。
The students vied to answer questions.
Relations
Common Words
先生xiānsheng
teacher; Mr.; husband
先进 / 先進xiānjìn
advanced; progressive; the vanguard
首先shǒuxiān
first; earliest; firstly
先后 / 先後xiānhòu
before and after; successively
之前zhīqián
before; prior to; in front of
先前xiānqián
before; previously; earlier
先锋 / 先鋒xiānfēng
vanguard; pioneer; trailblazer
祖先zǔxiān
ancestor; forefather
先烈xiānliè
martyr; fallen hero
优先 / 優先yōuxiān
have priority; take precedence
抢先 / 搶先qiǎngxiān
beat others to it; strive to be first; anticipate