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首先...，其次... and 首先...，然后... for “First … Second / Then …”

Use 首先 to open a list, 其次 for the second most important point, and 然后 for the next step in time.

Patrón

首先……，其次……（，最后……）; 首先……，然后……

首先 means “first of all.” Follow it with 其次 when you list points or reasons by importance, and with 然后 when you describe steps that happen one after another.

首先洗手，然后开始做饭。

When to use 首先...，其次... and 首先...，然后... for “First … Second / Then …”

Both pairs start with 首先, a slightly formal “first of all.” The second word depends on what you are listing. 其次 means “secondly, next in importance”: use it for points, reasons or conditions, as in a speech or essay: 首先，我们要了解问题；其次，要想办法解决. 然后 means “then, after that”: use it for actions in time order, like instructions or a story: 首先洗手，然后开始做饭. Add 最后 for the last item in either list.

首先，我们要了解问题；其次，要想办法解决。

First, we need to understand the problem; second, we need to find a way to solve it.

学好中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。

To learn Chinese well, first listen a lot, and second, speak a lot.

我们首先去了北京，然后去了上海。

We went to Beijing first, and then to Shanghai.

首先，我要感谢大家；其次，我想说说我们的计划。

First, I want to thank everyone; second, I’d like to talk about our plan.

Errores frecuentes

  • 其次 introduces the next point or reason, not the next step in time: for steps in time, use 然后.
  • Use 首先 only for the first item; the second item takes 其次 or 然后, and the last can take 最后.
  • 首先 sounds formal; with friends, 先……然后…… is more natural.

Ejercicio dirigido

Practica exactamente este patrón antes de seguir.

我们首先去了北京， 去了上海

We went to Beijing first, and then to Shanghai
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