take the lead; originally
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 7 examplesverb
to take the lead; to be at the forefront
Often used to describe taking the initiative in a challenging or courageous situation.
Zài在
kàng抗
zhèn震
jiù救
zāi灾
zhōng中
，
jiě解
fàng放
jūn军
zhàn战
shì士
fèn奋
yǒng勇
dāng当
xiān先
。
In earthquake relief efforts, the PLA soldiers courageously took the lead.
Bǐ比
sài赛
kāi开
shǐ始
，
tā他
yī一
mǎ马
dāng当
xiān先
chōng冲
le了
chū出
qù去
。
When the race started, he dashed out at the front, leading the pack.
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Zuò作
wéi为
duì队
zhǎng长
，
tā他
zǒng总
shì是
chī吃
kǔ苦
zài在
qián前
，
xiǎng享
shòu受
zài在
hòu后
，
chù处
chù处
dāng当
xiān先
。
As the team leader, he always endures hardship first, enjoys comfort last, and takes the lead in everything.
Gǎi改
gé革
shì事
yè业
xū需
yào要
gǎn敢
wéi为
rén人
xiān先
、
yǒng勇
yú于
dāng当
xiān先
de的
chuǎng闯
jiàng将
。
The cause of reform needs pioneers who dare to be the first and are brave enough to take the lead.
noun
originally; at first; in the beginning
dialectA dialectal (方) usage, referring to a past time, especially the beginning of a situation.
Dāng当
xiān先
shuō说
hǎo好
de的
shì事
qing情
，
nǐ你
zěn怎
me么
néng能
fǎn反
huǐ悔
ne呢
？
How can you go back on what was originally agreed upon?
Tā他
dāng当
xiān先
kě可
bú不
shì是
zhè这
me么
shuō说
de的
。
That's not what he said originally / at first.
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Xiǎng想
xiang想
dāng当
xiān先
，
wǒ我
men们
yī一
qióng穷
èr二
bái白
，
xiàn现
zài在
tiáo条
jiàn件
hǎo好
duō多
la啦
。
Think back to the beginning, we had nothing, but conditions are much better now.