Word: 先 (xiān)

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.

下水游泳前要先热身吗？

Xiàshuǐ yóuyǒng qián yào xiān rèshēn ma?

Do you need to warm up before getting in the water to swim?

为了申遗，他们先修复了城墙。

Wèile shēnyí, tāmen xiān xiūfùle chéngqiáng.

In order to apply for World Heritage status, they first restored the city wall.

买之前先看评价，别被坑了。

Mǎi zhīqián xiān kàn píngjià, bié bèi kēng le.

Read the reviews before you buy, so you don't get ripped off.

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.

买房产要先看清楚手续。

Mǎi fángchǎn yào xiān kàn qīngchu shǒuxù.

When buying real estate, check the paperwork carefully first.

买房子之前，最好先和家人协商。

Mǎi fángzi zhīqián, zuìhǎo xiān hé jiārén xiéshāng.

Before buying a house, you'd better consult your family first.

买房子以前，最好先实地看一看。

Mǎi fángzi yǐqián, zuìhǎo xiān shídì kànyíkàn.

Before buying a house, it's best to go and see it in person.

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.

买手机之前，先比价吧。

Mǎi shǒujī zhīqián, xiān bǐjià ba.

Compare prices before you buy a phone.

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.

事忙先记账

shì máng xiān jìzhàng

when business is busy, record the accounts first

产品必须先过质检才能出厂。

Chǎnpǐn bìxū xiān guò zhìjiǎn cái néng chūchǎng.

Products must pass quality inspection before they leave the factory.

人间五福，唯寿为先

rénjiān wǔfú, wéi shòu wéi xiān

of the five blessings among men, long life comes first

他下班以后照例先去超市买菜。

Tā xiàbān yǐhòu zhàolì xiān qù chāoshì mǎicài.

After work, he usually goes to the supermarket first to buy groceries.

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.

他们想先造点声势。

Tāmen xiǎng xiān zào diǎn shēngshì.

They want to build up some momentum 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.

代码要先编译才能运行。

Dàimǎ yào xiān biānyì cái néng yùnxíng.

The code has to be compiled before it can run.

休学要先跟老师说吗？

Xiūxué yào xiān gēn lǎoshī shuō ma?

Do I need to tell the teacher first to take a leave of absence?

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.

作为东道主，他先给客人倒了茶。

Zuòwéi dōngdàozhǔ, tā xiān gěi kèrén dàole chá.

As the host, he first poured tea for the guests.

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.

你先别进去，里头正在开会。

Nǐ xiān bié jìnqù, lǐtou zhèngzài kāihuì.

Don't go in yet. There's a meeting going on inside.

你先刷牙还是先洗脸？

Nǐ xiān shuāyá háishi xiān xǐliǎn?

Do you brush your teeth first or wash your face first?

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.

你先听我讲讲来龙去脉，好吗？

Nǐ xiān tīng wǒ jiǎng jiǎng láilóngqùmài, hǎo ma?

Will you first let me tell you how it all came about?

你先把论文的大纲发给我。

Nǐ xiān bǎ lùnwén de dàgāng fāgěi wǒ.

Send me the outline of your paper first.

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.

你先梳一下头再出门吧。

Nǐ xiān shū yíxià tóu zài chūmén ba.

Comb your hair before you go out.

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.

你先看一下我的草稿吧。

Nǐ xiān kàn yíxià wǒ de cǎogǎo ba.

Why don't you take a look at my draft first?

你先走，我随后就到。

Nǐ xiān zǒu, wǒ suíhòu jiù dào.

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

你别死记硬背，要先理解。

Nǐ bié sǐjìyìngbèi, yào xiān lǐjiě.

Don't just memorize it mechanically; understand it first.

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?

你按理应该先跟老师说一声。

Nǐ ànlǐ yīnggāi xiān gēn lǎoshī shuō yìshēng.

By rights, you should have told the teacher 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.

你要先打下坚实的基础。

Nǐ yào xiān dǎxià jiānshí de jīchǔ.

You should first build a solid foundation.

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?

使用医疗器械之前，必须先消毒。

Shǐyòng yīliáoqìxiè zhīqián, bìxū xiān xiāodú.

Medical devices must be disinfected before they are used.

修路前要先评估环境影响。

Xiūlù qián yào xiān pínggū huánjìngyǐngxiǎng.

Before building a road, you have to assess its environmental impact first.

做事别太急躁，先想清楚再动手。

Zuòshì bié tài jízào, xiān xiǎng qīngchu zài dòngshǒu.

Don't be so impetuous; think it through before you act.

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.

做这件事，应该先从哪儿下手？

Zuò zhè jiàn shì, yīnggāi xiān cóng nǎr xiàshǒu?

Where should we start in setting about this task?

做饭前，先把米淘干净。

Zuòfàn qián, xiān bǎ mǐ táo gānjìng.

Before cooking, wash the rice clean first.

做饭前先把调味料准备好。

Zuòfàn qián xiān bǎ tiáowèiliào zhǔnbèi hǎo.

Get the seasonings ready before you start cooking.

做饭前要先准备好食材。

Zuòfàn qián yào xiān zhǔnbèi hǎo shícái.

Before cooking, you should get the ingredients ready first.

先上两个凉菜，再慢慢上热菜。

Xiān shàng liǎng gè liángcài, zài mànmàn shàng rècài.

Bring out two cold dishes first, then serve the hot dishes slowly.

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.

先在山脚休息一下吧。

Xiān zài shānjiǎo xiūxi yíxià ba.

Let's rest a while at the foot of the mountain first.

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.

先学好拼音，进而学会写汉字。

Xiān xuéhǎo pīnyīn, jìn'ér xuéhuì xiě hànzì.

First learn pinyin well, and then go on to learn to write characters.

先学走，再学跑。

Xiān xué zǒu, zài xué pǎo.

Learn to walk before you run.

先想想这件事的利害。

Xiān xiǎngxiǎng zhè jiàn shì de lìhài.

First think about the pros and cons of this matter.

先打循环赛，再打淘汰赛。

Xiān dǎ xúnhuánsài, zài dǎ táotàisài.

First comes the round-robin, then the knockout rounds.

先找出原因，才能对症下药。

Xiān zhǎochū yuányīn, cái néng 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 pū 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.

先断后不断

xiān duànhòu búduàn

decide first, not settled later

先明后不争

xiān míng hòu bùzhēng

make it clear first, no quarrel later

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.

先翻炒几下，再加点盐。

Xiān fānchǎo jǐ xià, zài jiādiǎn yán.

Toss it in the pan a few times first, then add a little salt.

先虑败,后虑胜

xiān lǜ bài,hòu lǜ shèng

first consider defeat, then consider victory

先让情绪沉淀一下吧。

Xiān ràng qíngxù chéndiàn yíxià ba.

Let your emotions settle for a while first.

先说断,后不乱

xiān shuō duàn,hòu bú luàn

say it settled first, no mess later

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.

入职前要先签劳动合同。

Rù zhí qián yào xiān qiān láodònghétong.

You have to sign a labor contract before starting the job.

公司要先去有关部门立案。

Gōngsī yào xiān qù yǒuguān bùmén lì'àn.

The company must first register with the relevant department.

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.

写文章之前，先列一个提纲。

Xiě wénzhāng zhīqián, xiān liè yí gè tígāng.

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.

写文章前，先列一个提纲。

Xiě wénzhāng qián, xiān liè yí gè tígāng.

Before writing an essay, make an outline 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.

出头椽子先烂

chūtóu chuánzi xiān làn

the rafter end that sticks out rots first