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先
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Definitions
- 1. early
- 2. prior
- 3. former
- 4. in advance
- 5. first
Example Sentences
1 shown誰 先 來？
Sentence data courtesy of Tatoeba.org.
Words Containing 先
before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom); logistics comes before military maneuvers
antecedent
to take precedence
to have a prior engagement
key moment
herald
at first; in the beginning
deceased father
to be born with a weak constitution and suffer from ill health during one's life
the quick-footed climb up first (idiom)
to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to preempt
to take the lead
To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
forebears
the morning dew will swiftly dissipate (idiom); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence
early or late
to rush (to do sth urgent)
The first concern is affairs of state, enjoying the pleasure comes later. Quotation from essay On Yueyang Tower 岳陽樓記|岳阳楼记 by Song writer Fan Zhongyan 范仲淹[fàn zhòng yān]
lead(ing) position
strike first and gain the upper hand (idiom, martial arts term); Making the first move is an advantage.
pioneer
priority
to flee at hearing the news (idiom)
Young Pioneers of China (primary school league, a preparation for Communist Youth League)
the late Emperor
the way of former kings
posthumous edict of former emperor
before; previously
lit. the clumsy bird flies early (idiom); fig. to work hard to compensate for one's limited abilities
deceased grandfather
(dialect) first of all
Ladies first!
of all virtues filial piety is most important (idiom)
joy of first experience (idiom)
predictable
to take precedence
vanguard
previously
teacher
avant-garde
pre-Han
chronological
the biblical books of the prophets
order of priority
feng shui master
advanced (technology)
the idea is present before the first stroke of the brush, when the last stroke is placed the idea shines through
see 承前啟後|承前启后[chéng qián qǐ hòu]
seer
pre-Qin, Chinese history up to the foundation of the Qin imperial dynasty in 221 BC
the pavilion closest to the water enjoys moonlight first (idiom)
omen
Li Xiannian (1909-1992), PRC general and politician
\Mr Science\, phrase used during the May 4th Movement 五四運動|五四运动[wǔ sì yùn dòng]
distinguished precursor
to have priority
deceased mother
at first
prophet
to gain the upper hand by a show of strength
deceased father
first decapitate then present your trophy (idiom); act first, report later
preferred stock
International Herald Tribune
the rule of former kings
prior
first come first served
daring vanguard
congenital deficiency
prerequisite; necessary
prerecording
\he failed to complete his quest before death\ (line from the poem \The Premier of Shu\ 蜀相[shǔ xiàng] by Du Fu 杜甫[dù fǔ])
nature versus nurture
Mr. Bean (TV)
in advance
\Mr Democracy\, phrase used during the May 4th Movement 五四運動|五四运动[wǔ sì yùn dòng]
Mr Goody-goody
direct ancestor
in advance
worthy predecessor
foresight
in the first instance
lit. rafters that jut out rot first (idiom)
forerunner
Down syndrome; trisomy 21
deceased paternal grandmother
shilling (loanword)
advanced weapon
prior purchase right
originally
advance party
the first impression is the strongest
pioneer; trailblazer
to take preemptive action
martyr
to lead
lit. the duck is the first to know if the spring water is warm (idiom)
ancestor
issue that needs to be addressed first (before another issue can be resolved)
pioneer
to leave first (courteous expression used to excuse oneself)
to introduce sb
to compete to be first
beforehand
vanguard
Bai Xianyong (1937-), Chinese-Taiwanese-US novelist of Hui descent
(dialect) before
to dare to be first
the guilty party files the suit
no first use (policy for nuclear weapons)
embryonic period (contrasted with 後天|后天 [hòu tiān])
prior probability (statistics)
congenital; intrinsic; innate
first (of all)
preemptive right (in share issue)
annoying muddle-headed person who gabbles unintelligibly
striving to be first and fearing to be last (idiom); outdoing one another
martyr to the revolution
previously
previously
(official accolade) advanced team
lit. peaceful measures before using force (idiom)
deceased mother
famous and virtuous ancestors
Diocletian (c. 245-311), Roman emperor
the music of former kings
to age prematurely
foresight
elders
body will go with the morning dew (idiom); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence
person with foresight
in order of arrival
To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job
guide
percent (loanword)
ancestors
opposite of 先禮後兵|先礼后兵[xiān lǐ hòu bīng]
to fight at the head of one's troops
(baseball) starting pitcher
former kings
(the) very first
a priori (philosophy)
to come first
preliminary notification
fortune-teller
(official accolade) advanced individual; exemplary individual
to precede others
to marry after getting pregnant
foresight
a precondition; a prerequisite
birth defect
to take the lead
Vasili Eroshenko (1890-1952), Russian writer and poet who wrote in Esperanto and Japanese
a long way in front
(computing, inventory management etc) first in, first out
my late father
advanced level
to come late and leave first