先锋

• Pinyin: xiān fēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 先 = 止 (foot) + 儿 (person), meaning first or ahead; 锋 = 钅(metal) + 夆 (sharp), meaning sharp point or vanguard

Meaning

Pioneer; vanguard; avant-garde. Someone or something at the forefront of a movement or field.

Originally a military term for advance troops. Now widely used metaphorically for innovators in art, technology, social movements, etc. The Communist Youth League members are called 先锋队员. Also used as an adjective: 先锋艺术 (avant-garde art).

Examples

1. 这位导演被认为是中国先锋电影的代表人物。 This director is considered a representative figure of avant-garde Chinese cinema.
2. 在环保领域，北欧国家一直走在世界的先锋位置。 In the environmental field, Nordic countries have always been at the vanguard of the world.
3. 年轻一代应该做科技创新的先锋。 The younger generation should be pioneers in technological innovation.

Usage Guide

Context: arts, politics, military, innovation

Tone: admiring

Do Say

• 他是改革的先锋。(He is a pioneer of reform.)
• 这是一部先锋派作品。(This is an avant-garde work.)

Don't Say

• 他是吃饭的先锋 — 日常小事不用'先锋'，用于重要领域或历史性贡献

Origin & History

Compound of 先 (first, ahead) + 锋 (point, edge of blade). Originally military terminology for troops leading the charge, later extended to pioneers in any field.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal