先 xiān

first, former, previous

HSK 1 #188

DEFINITIONS

  • first, former, previous
  • early
  • prior
  • former
  • in advance
  • first

STROKES

WORDS

先天性 xiān tiān xìng congenital; intrinsic; innateness
先发制人 xiān fā zhì rén to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to preempt; to anticipate; preemptive
先下手为强 xiān xià shǒu wéi qiáng strike first and gain the upper hand (idiom, martial arts term); Making the first move is an advantage.
率先 shuài xiān to take the lead; to show initiative
先天 xiān tiān inborn; innate; natural
捷足先登 jié zú xiān dēng the quick-footed climb up first (idiom); the early bird catches the worm; first come, first served
先机 xiān jī key moment; decisive opportunity
先人 xiān rén ancestors; previous generations; my late father
先入为主 xiān rù wéi zhǔ lit. first impression is strongest
先兆 xiān zhào omen
先头 xiān tóu in advance; ahead; before; previously
先驱者 xiān qū zhě pioneer
先祖 xiān zǔ deceased grandfather; ancestry
有约在先 yǒu yuē zài xiān to have a prior engagement
一马当先 yī mǎ dāng xiān to take the lead
先见之明 xiān jiàn zhī míng foresight
在先 zài xiān to come first; previous; prior; beforehand; first; formerly
先父 xiān fù deceased father; my late father
先锋队 xiān fēng duì vanguard
先河 xiān hé priority; sth advocated first; refers to ancient tradition: Worship the river first, then the sea.
先遣队 xiān qiǎn duì advance party; advance troops
先决条件 xiān jué tiáo jiàn precondition; prerequisite
先睹为快 xiān dǔ wéi kuài joy of first experience (idiom); the pleasure of reading sth for the first time
先验 xiān yàn a priori (philosophy)
先知先觉 xiān zhī xiān jué foresight; having foresight; person of foresight
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