xiān

first; in advance; early

HSK 1 #188

Character data

HSK 1
Frequency 188th character
Radical ⼉ (10.4)
Strokes 6
Index # 446

Definitions

先 xiān
  1. 1. first
  2. 2. in advance
  3. 3. early
  4. 4. prior
  5. 5. former

Stroke order

先 stroke order diagram
先 stroke order animation

Words containing 先

Word Meaning
act first, ask permission later
avant-garde
pioneer; trailbreaker
in advance; beforehand; premature
to gain the upper hand by a show of strength
(fig.) to take the lead
to take precedence
congenital deficiency; inherent weakness
talk first, fight later; use peace before force
forerunner
to compete to be first; to contest first place
forerunner; pioneer; guide
martyr
precondition; prerequisite
to dare to be first; to pioneer (idiom)
to age prematurely
get first chance by being close; insider gain
to take the lead
no first use (policy for nuclear weapons); NFU
to announce in advance; preliminary notification
to take precedence
as a first priority; in the first instance
as a first priority; in the first instance
to have priority; to take precedence
right of first refusal (ROFR); preemptive right to purchase