Meaning of 首先
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- first of all; in the first place
How to use 首先
首先 starts a list of points or steps, and it is often followed by 其次 (qícì, next) or 然后 (ránhòu, then). It usually sits at the very start of a sentence or right before the verb. Example: 首先，我们要了解问题。(Shǒuxiān, wǒmen yào liǎojiě wèntí.) First of all, we need to understand the problem.
首 (shǒu) means head, as in 首都 (shǒudū), the head city. 先 (xiān) means first or before, so 首先 is the head of the line, the thing that comes first of all.
Common mistake: Learners often use 首先 where plain 先 (xiān) fits better. For simple time order like 你先走 (nǐ xiān zǒu, you go first), 首先 sounds too formal and stiff. Also keep the tones straight: both syllables are third and first tone, shǒu then xiān, not shōu.
首先 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.
首 shǒu · head · 9 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
先 xiān · beforehand · 6 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
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- 6
Related words
Words that share a character with 首先.
| 先生 | xiānsheng | teacher; gentleman; sir; mister (Mr.) |
| 先进 | xiānjìn | sophisticated; advanced (technology etc); meritorious; exemplary (deeds etc) |
| 领先 | lǐngxiān | to lead; to be in front |
| 首都 | shǒudū | capital (city) |
| 事先 | shìxiān | in advance; before the event |
| 率先 | shuàixiān | to take the lead; to show initiative |
| 优先 | yōuxiān | to have priority; to take precedence |
| 先前 | xiānqián | before; previously |
| 原先 | yuánxiān | originally; original |
| 先后 | xiānhòu | early or late; first and last; priority; in succession; one after another |
| 首相 | shǒuxiàng | prime minister (of Japan or UK etc) |
| 首席 | shǒuxí | seat of honor; chief (representative, correspondent etc) |
Questions about 首先
What does 首先 mean?
首先 (shǒuxiān) means "first of all; in the first place" and is used as a adverb.
How do you write 首先?
首先 is made of 2 characters: 首 (9 strokes), 先 (6 strokes). That is 15 strokes in total.
Is 首先 an HSK word?
Yes. 首先 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 首先 and 事先?
首先 means first in a sequence of points or actions. 事先 (shìxiān) means in advance, before something happens, as in 事先准备 (prepare beforehand).
Can 首先 be used with 最后 to structure a speech or essay?
Yes. A common pattern is 首先, then 其次 or 然后, and finally 最后 (zuìhòu). This structure is very common in presentations and written arguments.