先發制人 xiān fā zhì rén

to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to preempt

Word data

HSK Not in HSK
Frequency Unknown

Definitions

  1. 1. to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to preempt
  2. 2. preemptive
  3. 3. to anticipate

Characters

Character Meaning
先 xiān HSK 1
first; in advance; early
發 fā
to send out; to issue; to develop
制 zhì HSK 5
system; to control; to regulate
人 rén HSK 1
person; people; man