HanTrace

先

xiān
HSK 1

“Beforehand” in Chinese is 先 (xiān).

Other characters with the syllable xian: see all 22 →

Meaning

  • beforehand; first; earlier
  • at first; originally
  • for the time being; for now
Show 1 more meaning
  • prefixmy late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself)

Example

谢谢您，先生。

Thank you, sir.

From 先生 · Example sentence from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0).

Stroke Order

6 strokes

Words containing 先

先生xiānshengteacherHSK 1领先lǐngxiānto leadHSK 3首先shǒuxiānfirst of all; in the first placeHSK 3先进xiānjìnsophisticated; advanced (technology etc)HSK 3事先shìxiānin advanceHSK 4率先shuàixiānto take the leadHSK 4先后xiānhòuearly or late; first and last; priorityHSK 5先前xiānqiánbefore; previouslyHSK 5

More HSK 1 characters

爱àito love; to be fond of; to likeHSK 1八bāeightHSK 1爸bàfatherHSK 1吧babar (loanword) (serving drinks, or providing Internet access etc)HSK 1白báiBai ethnic groupHSK 1百bǎihundredHSK 1班bānteam; class; gradeHSK 1半bànhalfHSK 1帮bāngto helpHSK 1包bāoto coverHSK 1

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