原先

yuán xiān

HSK 2.0 Level 6 HSK 3.0 Level 6 Noun Uncommon

Save to list

A add to a list Esc back to results

Definitions

1. originally
2. original
3. former

Stop forgetting what you study.
Build recall daily.

Try HanyuGuide's Chinese review system with multiple choice, typed recall, tone-aware practice, and reviews scheduled before memory fades.

Get Yearly · $49.99 / year

Sign up with Google

Did Google show an error? Sorry about that. Use your email below instead.

Continue with Email

By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Lifetime for $119.99 Try a practice session

Word relationships

Antonyms

2 items

• 现在 xiàn zài 现在 xiàn zài now Originally vs. now: now
• 后来 hòu lái 后来 hòu lái afterwards; later Former vs. later: afterwards; later

Related words

1 item

• 原本 yuán běn 原本 yuán běn originally Similar meaning of 'original', but 原本 is often used as an adverb: originally

Synonyms

1 item

• 原来 yuán lái 原来 yuán lái original Both can mean 'originally', but 原来 can also indicate realization of a fact: original

Usage notes

Common mistakes

Learners often confuse 原先 and 原来 when expressing a realized truth; use 原来 for 'it turns out that'.

Formality

原先 is neutral in formality and common in both spoken and written Mandarin.

Example Sentences

1 shown

我 原先 不知道这件事。

I didn't know about this matter originally.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Child Words of 原先

• 先 先 xiān: early
• 原 原 yuán: former