first; beforehand; initially
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesconjunction
first; beforehand; before (something else)
formalUsed in the first clause of a sentence to indicate that an action or situation occurs prior to another, often followed by 后, 然后, or 接着 in the second clause.
Xiān先
shi时
dā答
ying应
de得
hǎo好
hǎo好
de的
，
hòu后
yòu又
fǎn反
huǐ悔
le了
。
He agreed readily at first, but then went back on his word.
Xiān先
shi时
shuō说
yào要
qù去
，
hòu后
lái来
yòu又
shuō说
bù不
qù去
le了
。
At first he said he would go, but later said he wouldn't.
Show 2 more examplesShow fewer examples
Xiān先
shi时
chéng承
nuò诺
huì会
tóu投
zī资
，
hòu后
yòu又
chè撤
huí回
le了
zī资
jīn金
。
He promised to invest at first, but later withdrew the funds.
Xiān先
shi时
biǎo表
shì示
tóng同
yì意
，
suí随
hòu后
yòu又
gǎi改
biàn变
le了
zhǔ主
yi意
。
At first he expressed agreement, then subsequently changed his mind.