首先 (shǒu xiān) — first of all; in the first place

Definition

首先 (shǒu xiān) means 'first of all' and is used at the start of a list or sequence, often as a discourse marker. It contrasts with 先 (xiān, 'first, in advance'), which goes before a verb to indicate doing something before others (e.g., 我先走 'I'll go first'). 首先 is more formal and structured, while 先 is more flexible in everyday speech.

first of allin the first place

Examples

首先，。
shǒu xiān, qǐng bǎ chuānghu dǎkāi.
First, please open the window.
首先，。
shǒu xiān, wǒmen yào jiǎnchá yí biàn.
First, we need to check it once.
首先。
Nǐ shǒu xiān gàosu dàjiā zhège xiāoxi.
You first tell everyone this news.

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