首
先

About

The word 首先 is formed by combining two characters that each convey a sense of primacy and front-position, merging their meanings into a single, reinforced concept. The first character, 首, pictographically represents a "head" , the foremost and leading part of the body , to denote chief importance or the starting point. It is joined with 先, which depicts a person (儿) walking ahead (之), emphasizing being first in time or sequence. Together, they create a composite idea where the spatial metaphor of the leading head (首) is fused with the temporal and positional notion of going ahead (先), resulting in the abstract meaning of "firstly" or "in the first place".

Example Sentences Hide

首先，我们要学习汉字。

Shǒuxiān, wǒmen yào xuéxí Hànzì.

First, we need to learn Chinese characters.

首先检查一下设备。

Shǒuxiān jiǎnchá yīxià shèbèi.

First, check the equipment.

在会议开始前，首先由主持人发言。

Zài huìyì kāishǐ qián, shǒuxiān yóu zhǔchírén fāyán.

Before the meeting starts, first the host will speak.

首先考虑安全因素，然后才能进行实验。

Shǒuxiān kǎolǜ ānquán yīnsù, ránhòu cáinéng jìnxíng shíyàn.

First consider safety factors, then you can proceed with the experiment.

首先，鉴于当前形势，我们必须采取紧急措施。

Shǒuxiān, jiànyú dāngqián xíngshì, wǒmen bìxū cǎiqǔ jǐnjí cuòshī.

First, in view of the current situation, we must take emergency measures.

Word Definition - 首先

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

Individual Character Details

首 shǒu
先 xiān