先……再…… (first...then...)

• Pinyin: xiān...zài
• Formation: 先 + Verb Phrase 1 ，再 + Verb Phrase 2
• Hanzi breakdown: 先 = 止 (foot) + 儿 (person); 再 = 冂 (enclosure) + 冉 (tender)

Meaning

The pattern 先……再…… is used to describe the order of two actions, indicating that one action should be done first and another one after. It is equivalent to 'first...then...' in English.

先 marks the first action and 再 marks the subsequent action. This pattern is commonly used to give suggestions, instructions, or describe plans. It implies that the order matters — the first action should be completed before the second begins. A similar pattern is 先……然后……, which is more neutral and simply sequences events, while 先……再…… often carries a suggestion or recommendation that the order is important. In daily conversation, the subject can appear before 先 or be omitted entirely if clear from context.

Examples

1. 你先洗手，再吃饭。 Wash your hands first, then eat.
2. 我打算先写完作业，再出去玩。 I plan to finish my homework first, then go out and have fun.
3. 请先填好这张表，再去窗口办理。 Please fill in this form first, then go to the window to process it.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: instructional

Do Say

• 你先把衣服换了，再来帮我。
• 咱们先商量一下，再做决定。
• 先听我说完，再发表你的意见。
• 我先去超市买菜，再回家做饭。

Don't Say

• 你再洗手，先吃饭。(先 and 再 cannot be swapped — 先 must mark the first action and 再 the second) → 你先洗手，再吃饭。
• 先去商店再先去银行。(Do not use 先 twice — only the first action uses 先, the second uses 再) → 先去商店，再去银行。

Origin & History

先 means 'before' or 'first' and derives from a character depicting a person walking ahead. 再 means 'again' or 'then' and was originally associated with repetition, later extending to sequential actions.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal