先……再…… (first...then...)

• 拼音: xiān...zài
• 结构: 先 + Verb Phrase 1 ，再 + Verb Phrase 2
• 汉字拆解: 先 = 止 (foot) + 儿 (person); 再 = 冂 (enclosure) + 冉 (tender)

含义

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.

例句

1. 你先洗手，再吃饭。
2. 我打算先写完作业，再出去玩。
3. 请先填好这张表，再去窗口办理。

用法指南

语境: spoken, written, everyday

语气: instructional

正确说法

• 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。

错误说法

• 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。

起源与历史

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.

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal