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
chronological
to rush (to do sth urgent); to try to be the first
to dare to be first; to pioneer (idiom)
fig. an expert in the field knows which way the wind blows
fig. an expert in the field knows which way the wind blows
to have a prior engagement
predictable
Li Xiannian (1909-1992), PRC general and politician
To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
life is short; die suddenly or early
to compete to be first; to contest first place
to rush to be first; compete eagerly
Bai Xianyong, Taiwanese writer and novelist
of all virtues filial piety is most important (idiom)
of all virtues filial piety is most important (idiom)
direct ancestor
work early and hard to make up for weakness
work early and extra hard to make up weakness
fortune-teller
annoying muddle-headed person who gabbles unintelligibly
annoying muddle-headed person who gabbles unintelligibly
to flee at hearing the news (idiom)
to flee at hearing the news (idiom)
bookkeeper (old)
bookkeeper (old)