先 (xiān) - first & earlier

先Tone 1

xiān ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 儿

万响

先 · xiān

first;

earlier;

before;

in advance;

ancestor;

deceased;

ancient sage kings.

firstearlierbefore

Usage highlights

firstadvanceancestorpioneerpredecessorpriority

Synonyms

  • 前— before; front
  • 首— first; head
  • 早— early

Antonyms

  • 后— after; behind
  • 晚— late

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He arrived first (先到).
  • Please go ahead (你先请).
  • The ancients said (古人先曰).
  • My late grandfather (我先祖父).

Collocations

  • first(第一)
  • advance(先进)
  • ancestor(祖先)
  • pioneer(先驱)
  • predecessor(先辈)
  • priority(优先)

Idioms

  • Strike first to gain the upper hand(先发制人)
  • Worry before common worries, rejoice after common joys(先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐)
  • The sage kings of antiquity(先王)
  • Go in advance to pave the way(先遣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucianism, 'the ancients' (先王) were idealized rulers whose ways should be emulated.
  • Used to show respect for ancestors and predecessors in traditional Chinese culture.
  • The concept of 'first' is highly valued in strategic thinking, as seen in the idiom '先发制人'.

FAQ