Word: 先 (xiān) beforehand

万一来不了，我会先给你打电话。

Wànyī lái bù liǎo, wǒ huì xiān gěi nǐ dǎdiànhuà.

In case I can't come, I'll give you a call beforehand.

下大雨前，政府先疏导了河道。

Xià dàyǔ qián, zhèngfǔ xiān shūdǎole hédào.

Before the heavy rain, the government cleared the river channel.

买卖不动产要先办手续。

Mǎimai búdòngchǎn yào xiān bàn shǒuxù.

You have to go through the formalities before buying or selling immovable property.

买房子时，双方要先签合同。

Mǎi fángzi shí, shuāngfāng yào xiān qiān hétong.

When buying a house, both parties must first sign a contract.

买车前先了解一下行情。

Mǎi chē qián xiān liǎojiě yíxià hángqíng.

Check the going prices before you buy a car.

他们不知道先做什么。

Tāmen bù zhīdào xiān zuò shénme.

They didn't know what to do first.

他们两个里高的那一个先出来了。

Tāmen liǎng gè lǐ gāo de nà yí gè xiān chūláile.

The taller of the two went out first.

他们俩中，高的那个先走了出来。

Tāmen liǎ zhōng, gāo de nàge xiān zǒule chūlái.

Of the two of them, the taller one went out first.

他们比我们先开始。

Tāmen bǐ wǒmen xiān kāishǐ.

They had started earlier than we had.

他先沐浴，然后才吃饭。

Tā xiān mùyù, ránhòu cái chīfàn.

He bathes first and only then eats.

他先清洗了伤口，再绑上绷带。

Tā xiān qīngxǐle shāngkǒu, zài bǎng shàng bēngdài.

He cleansed the wound before putting on a bandage.

他摔倒时臀先着地。

Tā shuāidǎo shí tún xiān zháodì.

When he fell, he landed on his rump first.

他没有本钱，只能先打工。

Tā méiyǒu běnqián, zhǐnéng xiān dǎgōng.

He has no capital, so he can only work for others first.

付款以前，先核一下金额吧。

Fùkuǎn yǐqián, xiān hé yíxià jīn'é ba.

Before paying, verify the amount first.

会员要先交纳会费。

Huìyuán yào xiān jiāonà huìfèi.

Members have to pay the membership fee first.

伤口要先用清水冲洗。

Shāngkǒu yào xiān yòng qīngshuǐ chōngxǐ.

The wound should first be rinsed with clean water.

你不妨先问问老师的意见。

Nǐ bùfáng xiān wèn wèn lǎoshī de yìjiàn.

You might as well ask the teacher's opinion first.

你们先去哪里？

Nǐmen xiān qù nǎlǐ?

Where are you going first of all?

你们先定时，我随时都行。

Nǐmen xiān dìngshí, wǒ suíshí dōu xíng.

You two set a time first; any time is fine with me.

你先付一半，差额下月补。

Nǐ xiān fù yíbàn, chā'é xià yuè bǔ.

Pay half first, and make up the remaining balance next month.

你先去前面探探路，好吗？

Nǐ xiān qù qiánmiàn tàn tànlù, hǎo ma?

Can you go ahead and scout the road first?

你先去楼下挂号，再来找医生。

Nǐ xiān qù lóuxià guàhào, zài lái zhǎo yīshēng.

Go downstairs to register first, then come and see the doctor.

你先放水，我去拿洗澡用的毛巾。

Nǐ xiān fàngshuǐ, wǒ qù ná xǐzǎo yòng de máojīn.

You run the water first, and I'll go get a towel for the bath.

你先煮饭，其间我去买菜。

Nǐ xiān zhǔfàn, qíjiān wǒ qù mǎicài.

You start cooking the rice, and in the meantime I'll go buy groceries.

你先走，我随后就到。

Nǐ xiān zǒu, wǒ suíhòu jiù dào.

You go ahead, and I'll be there shortly.

你可以先观摩他怎么做。

Nǐ kěyǐ xiān guānmó tā zěnme zuò.

You can first watch how he does it and learn from him.

你在说话前应该先思考。

Nǐ zài shuōhuà qián yīnggāi xiān sīkǎo.

You should think before you speak.

你应该先从最简单的问题开始。

Nǐ yīnggāi xiān cóng zuì jiǎndān de wèntí kāishǐ.

You should begin with easier questions.

你得先弄清楚这个关节。

Nǐ děi xiān nòng qīngchu zhège guānjié.

You have to figure out this key point first.

你想我们先结婚还是先生孩子？

Nǐ xiǎng wǒmen xiān jiéhūn háishi xiānsheng háizi?

Do you want to get married first or have a child first?

你疲倦了就先去睡吧。

Nǐ píjuànle jiù xiān qù shuì ba.

If you're tired, go to bed first.

你要先找准自己的定位。

Nǐ yào xiān zhǎo zhǔn zìjǐ de dìngwèi.

You first need to find your own position.

你订酒店的时候，会先看星级吗？

Nǐ dìng jiǔdiàn de shíhou, huì xiān kàn xīngjí ma?

When you book a hotel, do you look at the star rating first?

做生意要先了解当地的国情。

Zuòshēngyì yào xiān liǎojiě dāngdì de guóqíng.

Before doing business, you should first understand the country's circumstances.

做饭前，先把米淘干净。

Zuòfàn qián, xiān bǎ mǐ táo gānjìng.

Before cooking, wash the rice clean first.

先做调查，再问别人。

Xiān zuò diàochá, zài wèn biéren.

Do research before asking others.

先吃饭，随后我们去看电影。

Xiān chīfàn, suíhòu wǒmen qù kàn diànyǐng.

Let's eat first, and afterward we'll go to a movie.

先复制这段话，再粘贴到文件里。

Xiān fùzhì zhè duàn huà, zài zhāntiē dào wénjiàn lǐ.

First copy this passage, then paste it into the file.

先学走，再学跑。

Xiān xué zǒu, zài xué pǎo.

Learn to walk before you run.

先找出原因，才能对症下药。

Xiān zhǎochū yuányīn, cáinéng duìzhèngxiàyào.

You have to find the cause first before you can take the right steps.

先把沙子筛一遍，再拿去用。

Xiān bǎ shāzi shāi yíbiàn, zài ná qù yòng.

Sift the sand once first, then use it.

先把路面夯实，再铺石头。

Xiān bǎ lùmiàn hāngshí, zài pù shítou.

First ram the road surface firm, then lay the stones.

先放大看看画的局部吧。

Xiān fàngdà kànkan huà de júbù ba.

Let's zoom in and look at one part of the painting first.

先看清全局，再做决定。

Xiān kànqīng quánjú, zài zuò juédìng.

First get a clear view of the overall situation, then make your decision.

先让情绪沉淀一下吧。

Xiān ràng qíngxù chéndiàn yíxià ba.

Let your emotions settle for a while first.

先读一下报告的摘要吧。

Xiān dú yíxià bàogào de zhāiyào ba.

Let's read the summary of the report first.

先调查再决定，顺理成章。

Xiān diàochá zài juédìng, shùnlǐchéngzhāng.

Investigating first and then deciding is the logical way to go.

先谢谢您了。

Xiān xièxie nín le.

Thanking you in advance.

入境之前，请先填好这张表格。

Rùjìng zhīqián, qǐng xiān tián hǎo zhè zhāng biǎogé.

Please fill out this form before entering the country.

其余的人可以先回家了。

Qíyú de rén kěyǐ xiān huíjiā le.

The others can go home first.

写文章之前，先列一个大纲。

Xiě wénzhāng zhīqián, xiān liè yí gè dàgāng.

Before writing an essay, make an outline first.

写文章以前，老师让我们先构思。

Xiě wénzhāng yǐqián, lǎoshī ràng wǒmen xiān gòusī.

Before writing an essay, the teacher has us plan it out first.

写论文前，我要先查很多文献。

Xiě lùnwén qián, wǒ yào xiān chá hěn duō wénxiàn.

Before writing my thesis, I have to look up a lot of reference material.

写这个字时，先写一横再写竖。

Xiě zhège zì shí, xiān xiě yì héng zài xiě shù.

When writing this character, write the horizontal stroke first and then the vertical one.

出发前，司机先检查了燃油。

Chūfā qián, sījī xiān jiǎnchále rányóu.

Before setting off, the driver checked the fuel first.

出门前要先检测体温。

Chū ménqián yào xiān jiǎncè tǐwēn.

You need to check your temperature before going out.

别急躁，先把问题想清楚再动手。

Bié jízào, xiān bǎ wèntí xiǎng qīngchu zài dòngshǒu.

Don't be impetuous; think the problem through before you start.

别慌，慢慢说，先坐下。

Bié huāng, mànmàn shuō, xiān zuòxia.

Don't panic, sit down first and speak slowly.

医生要先看病情的轻重。

Yīshēng yào xiān kàn bìngqíng de qīngzhòng.

The doctor first has to assess how severe the illness is.

参观军舰要先预约吗？

Cānguān jūnjiàn yào xiān yùyuē ma?

Do you need to book ahead to tour a naval vessel?

吃药前，请先看药的说明书。

Chīyào qián, qǐng xiān kàn yào de shuōmíngshū.

Before taking the medicine, please read the directions first.

吃饭以前，我们先祈祷。

Chīfàn yǐqián, wǒmen xiān qídǎo.

Before eating, we pray.

咱们赛一赛，看谁先到。

Zánmen sài yí sài, kàn shéi xiān dào.

Let's race and see who gets there first.

喝以前请先摇一摇瓶子。

Hē yǐqián qǐng xiān yáo yì yáo píngzi.

Please shake the bottle before drinking.

天空先变暗，继而下起了大雨。

Tiānkōng xiān biàn'àn, jì'ér xià qǐle dàyǔ.

The sky darkened first, then it started pouring.

好的，但我们先吃晚饭吧。

Hǎo de, dàn wǒmen xiān chī wǎnfàn ba.

Sure, but let's eat dinner first.

学游泳先要掌握呼吸的要领。

Xué yóuyǒng xiān yào zhǎngwò hūxī de yàolǐng.

To learn swimming, you first need to master the essentials of breathing.

学画画先要练好基本功。

Xué huàhuà xiān yào liàn hǎo jīběngōng.

To learn painting, you must first practice your basic skills.

客人快到了，先备点茶吧。

Kèrén kuài dàole, xiān bèi diǎn chá ba.

The guests are almost here, so let's get some tea ready first.

就餐前请先洗手！

Jiùcān qián qǐng xiān xǐshǒu!

Please wash your hands before eating!

工作之前先收好思绪。

Gōngzuò zhīqián xiān shōu hǎo sīxù.

Collect your thoughts before you begin your work.

开会前，经理先做了一次动员。

Kāihuì qián, jīnglǐ xiān zuòle yícì dòngyuán.

Before the meeting, the manager gave a rallying talk first.

开始工作前要先做好计划。

Kāishǐ gōngzuò qián yào xiān zuò hǎo jìhuà.

Plan your work before you start it.

开车时要注意让行人先过马路。

Kāichē shí yào zhùyì ràng xíngrén xiān guò mǎlù.

When driving, remember to let pedestrians cross the road first.

开这家饭馆需要先申请牌照。

Kāi zhè jiā fànguǎn xūyào xiān shēnqǐng páizhào.

To open this restaurant, you first need to apply for a license.

开饭馆要先办营业执照。

Kāi fànguǎn yào xiān bàn yíngyè zhízhào.

To open a restaurant, you first have to get a business license.

我习惯先看序言，再看正文。

Wǒ xíguàn xiān kàn xùyán, zài kàn zhèngwén.

I usually read the preface first, then the main text.

我们先去北京。

Wǒmen xiān qù Běijīng.

We are firstly going to Beijing.

我们先吃饭，然后再走。

Wǒmen xiān chīfàn, ránhòu zài zǒu.

First we'll eat, and then we'll go.

我们必须先完成我们的功课。

Wǒmen bìxū xiān wánchéng wǒmen de gōngkè.

We must finish our homework first.

我先想跟你见个面。

Wǒ xiān xiǎng gēn nǐ jiàn gè miàn.

I want to see you first.

我先谢谢你的帮忙。

Wǒ xiān xièxie nǐ de bāngmáng.

Thank you in advance for your help.

我应该先去做。

Wǒ yīnggāi xiān qù zuò.

I should go ahead and do that.

我必须先完成这个工作。

Wǒ bìxū xiān wánchéng zhège gōngzuò.

I must finish this work first.

我总是在上学前先吃饭。

Wǒ zǒngshì zài shàngxué qián xiān chīfàn.

I always eat before going to school.

我想先吃点蛋糕。

Wǒ xiǎng xiān chī diǎn dàngāo.

I want to eat some cake first.

我本应该先问的。

Wǒ běn yīnggāi xiān wèn de.

I should've asked.

我要先找到他！

Wǒ yào xiān zhǎodào tā!

I want to find him first!

房东要求我们先做书面申请。

Fángdōng yāoqiú wǒmen xiān zuò shūmiàn shēnqǐng.

The landlord requires us to submit a written application first.

手术前要先打麻醉吗？

Shǒushù qián yào xiān dǎ mázuì ma?

Do you have to get anesthesia before the surgery?

打印机需要先安装驱动。

Dǎyìnjī xūyào xiān ānzhuāng qūdòng.

The printer needs a driver installed first.

按情理说，他应该先道歉。

Àn qínglǐ shuō, tā yīnggāi xiān dàoqiàn.

By rights, he should apologize first.

文件太大，请先压缩一下。

Wénjiàn tài dà, qǐng xiān yāsuō yíxià.

The file is too big, so please compress it first.

新手机要先激活才能用。

Xīn shǒujī yào xiān jīhuó cáinéng yòng.

A new phone has to be activated before you can use it.

新来的经理要先向股东说明计划。

Xīn lái de jīnglǐ yào xiān xiàng gǔdōng shuōmíng jìhuà.

The new manager must first explain the plan to the stockholders.

新用户第一次使用要先注册。

Xīn yònghù dìyīcì shǐyòng yào xiān zhùcè.

New users have to register the first time they use it.

新车的发动机要先磨合。

Xīn chē de fādòngjī yào xiān móhé.

The engine of a new car has to be broken in first.

朋友先去前面结账了。

Péngyou xiān qù qiánmiàn jiézhàng le.

My friend went up to the front to pay first.

来宾请先在门口登记。

Láibīn qǐng xiān zài ménkǒu dēngjì.

Visitors, please register at the entrance first.

来抽签决定谁先走吧。

Lái chōuqiān juédìng shéi xiān zǒu ba.

Let's draw lots to decide who goes first.