Meaning of 优先
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to have priority; to take precedence
How to use 优先
优先 often comes before another verb to say who or what goes first, or appears in set phrases like 优先考虑 (yōuxiān kǎolǜ, to give priority consideration). It is common in signs, rules, and work talk. Example: 老人和孩子优先上车。 (Lǎorén hé háizi yōuxiān shàng chē.) The elderly and children board first.
优 (yōu) means excellent or superior, as in 优点 (yōudiǎn), and 先 (xiān) means first, as in 首先 (shǒuxiān). Something superior gets to go first, so 优先 means to have priority.
Common mistake: Learners sometimes use 优先 like 首先 to mean "first of all" when listing points, but 优先 is about priority and precedence, not sequence in speech. Also keep the first tone on both syllables, yōuxiān, and do not read 优 as yóu.
优先 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
优 yōu · excellent · 6 strokes
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先 xiān · beforehand · 6 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 优先.
| 先生 | xiānsheng | teacher; gentleman; sir; mister (Mr.) |
| 首先 | shǒuxiān | first of all; in the first place |
| 优势 | yōushì | superiority; dominance |
| 先进 | xiānjìn | sophisticated; advanced (technology etc); meritorious; exemplary (deeds etc) |
| 领先 | lǐngxiān | to lead; to be in front |
| 优点 | yōudiǎn | merit; benefit |
| 优秀 | yōuxiù | outstanding; excellent |
| 事先 | shìxiān | in advance; before the event |
| 优美 | yōuměi | graceful; fine |
| 优良 | yōuliáng | fine; good |
| 率先 | shuàixiān | to take the lead; to show initiative |
| 先前 | xiānqián | before; previously |
Questions about 优先
What does 优先 mean?
优先 (yōuxiān) means "to have priority; to take precedence" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 优先?
优先 is made of 2 characters: 优 (6 strokes), 先 (6 strokes). That is 12 strokes in total.
Is 优先 an HSK word?
Yes. 优先 is on the HSK 5 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 优先 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 优先 is written 優先.
How do you say "top priority" in Chinese?
You can say 优先事项 (yōuxiān shìxiàng) for a priority item, or 首要任务 (shǒuyào rènwu) for a top task. In everyday speech, people also say 最优先 (zuì yōuxiān), meaning the highest priority.
Can 优先 be used with 于 to compare two things?
Yes. 优先于 (yōuxiān yú) means "to take precedence over." For example, 安全优先于速度 (ānquán yōuxiān yú sùdù) means safety comes before speed.