first time ever; maiden attempt
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesidiom
to be the very first time doing something; to be a maiden attempt
informalUsed to emphasize that something is happening or being attempted for the very first time. It often conveys a sense of novelty, inexperience, or a milestone. The '儿' (er) is often pronounced softly in northern dialects. The structure is fixed.
Dēng登
tái台
yǎn演
xì戏
wǒ我
hái还
shì是
pò破
tí题
er儿
dì第
yī一
zāo遭
。
This is the very first time I've ever performed on stage.
Ràng让
tā他
fù负
zé责
zhè这
me么
dà大
de的
xiàng项
mù目
，
nà那
kě可
shì是
pò破
tí题
er儿
dì第
yī一
zāo遭
。
Entrusting him with such a big project is a real first.
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Chū出
guó国
liú留
xué学
duì对
tā她
lái来
shuō说
shì是
pò破
tí题
er儿
dì第
yī一
zāo遭
，
nán难
miǎn免
yǒu有
xiē些
jǐn紧
zhāng张
。
Studying abroad is a first for her, so it's natural she feels a bit nervous.
Gōng公
sī司
ràng让
jī机
qì器
rén人
sòng送
huò货
，
zài在
zhè这
zuò座
chéng城
shì市
kě可
shì是
pò破
tí题
er儿
dì第
yī一
zāo遭
。
The company using robots for delivery is an absolute first in this city.