Word: 先 (xiān)

出门前，我先检查一下购物清单。

Chū ménqián, wǒ xiān jiǎnchá yíxià gòuwù qīngdān.

Before going out, I'll check the shopping list 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?

发出消息以前，请先核实一下。

Fāchū xiāoxi yǐqián, qǐng xiān héshí yíxià.

Please verify it first before sending out the news.

古时候，渔民出海前要先拜龙王。

Gǔshíhou, yúmín chūhǎi qián yào xiān bài Lóngwáng.

In ancient times, fishermen would worship the Dragon King before going to sea.

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.

吃饭前要先洗手。

Chīfàn qián yào xiān xǐshǒu.

You need to wash your hands before eating.

吃鱼时要先剔除鱼刺。

Chī yú shí yào xiān tīchú yúcì.

When eating fish, first pick out the bones.

各位慢慢吃，我先失陪一下。

Gèwèi mànmàn chī, wǒ xiān shīpéi yíxià.

Please take your time eating, I'll excuse myself for a bit.

君子言先不言后

jūnzǐ yán xiān bù yán hòu

a gentleman speaks first, not afterwards

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.

咸菜烧鲤鱼,有盐在先

xiáncài shāo lǐyú,yǒu yán zài xiān

pickles braised with carp: there's salt 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.

回到家，你先去洗手吧。

Huídào jiā, nǐ xiān qù xǐshǒu ba.

When you get home, go wash your hands first.

在实体店可以先试再买。

Zài shítǐdiàn kěyǐ xiān shì zài mǎi.

In a physical store you can try things before you buy.

声音信号需要先量化，再存储。

Shēngyīn xìnhào xūyào xiān liànghuà, zài cúnchǔ.

Sound signals need to be quantized first and then stored.

大学一年级先学通识。

Dàxué yìniánjí xiān xué tōngshí.

In the first year of university, you study general education first.

大家都很谦让，谁也不先拿蛋糕。

Dàjiā dōu hěn qiānràng, shéi yě bù xiān ná dàngāo.

Everyone was so polite that nobody would take the cake first.

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.

头疼的话，先吃点药吧。

Tóuténg dehuà, xiān chī diǎn yào ba.

If you have a headache, take some medicine first.

她刚入行，只能先跑龙套。

Tā gāng rù háng, zhǐnéng xiān pǎolóngtào.

She's just started out, so she can only play small roles for now.

她请假的事要先告诉班主任。

Tā qǐngjià de shì yào xiān gàosu bānzhǔrèn.

She must tell the class teacher first about her leave.

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.

好雁总是领头飞，好马总是先出列

hǎo yàn zǒngshì lǐngtóu fēi, hǎo mǎ zǒngshì xiān chūliè

a good wild goose always flies at the head; a good horse always steps out of the ranks first

学国画要先从临摹开始。

Xué guóhuà yào xiān cóng línmó kāishǐ.

Learning Chinese painting should begin with copying models.

学戏先要选好自己的行当。

Xué xì xiān yào xuǎn hǎo zìjǐ de hángdang.

When learning opera, you first need to choose your own role type.

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.

学游泳要先掌握呼吸的要领。

Xué yóuyǒng yào xiān zhǎngwò hūxī de yàolǐng.

To learn to swim, you must first 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.

家有三件事，先拣紧的办

jiā yǒu sān jiàn shì, xiān jiǎn jǐn de bàn

if the house has three jobs, do the pressing one 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.

工厂先寄来了一份样品。

Gōngchǎng xiān jì láile yífèn yàngpǐn.

The factory sent over a sample first.

工厂要先处理废气。

Gōngchǎng yào xiān chǔlǐ fèiqì.

Factories must treat their waste gas first.

工资先放在活期里吧。

Gōngzī xiān fàng zài huóqī lǐ ba.

Let's keep your salary in the checking account for now.

废水要先处理，再排放。

Fèishuǐ yào xiān chǔlǐ, zài páifàng.

Waste water must be treated first and then discharged.

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.

开会前，请先看一下注意事项。

Kāihuì qián, qǐng xiān kàn yíxià zhùyì shìxiàng.

Please read the notes on matters to watch out for before the meeting.

开会时，几位元老先发了言。

Kāihuì shí, jǐ wèi yuánlǎo xiān fāle yán.

At the meeting, a few senior figures spoke 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.

德治要求当官的人先做好榜样。

Dézhì yāoqiú dāngguān de rén xiān zuò hǎo bǎngyàng.

Rule by virtue requires officials to set a good example first.

快递请先放在门卫那里。

Kuàidì qǐng xiān fàng zài ménwèi nàli.

Please leave the parcel with the gate guard first.

想学书法，先练基本笔法。

Xiǎng xué shūfǎ, xiān liàn jīběn bǐfǎ.

If you want to learn calligraphy, first practice the basic brush techniques.

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.

我先借你一点钱应急。

Wǒ xiān jiè nǐ yìdiǎn qián yìngjí.

Let me lend you a little money to tide you over.

我先垫上钱，回头再还你。

Wǒ xiān diàn shàng qián, huítóu zài hái nǐ.

I'll cover the money first and pay you back later.

我先想跟你见个面。

Wǒ xiān xiǎng gēn nǐ jiàn gè miàn.

I want to see you first.

我先接个电话，失陪一下。

Wǒ xiān jiē gè diànhuà, shīpéi yíxià.

Let me take a call first, so please excuse me for a moment.

我先谢谢你的帮忙。

Wǒ xiān xièxie nǐ de bāngmáng.

Thank you in advance for your help.

我先跑路了。

Wǒ xiān pǎo lù le.

I'm out of here.

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.

我的工资先存进活期存款。

Wǒ de gōngzī xiān cún jìn huóqīcúnkuǎn.

My salary goes into my demand deposit account first.

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.

打柴总得先探路

dǎchái zǒngděi xiān tànlù

to cut firewood, you must first scout the path

打球前，你要先穿好球鞋。

Dǎqiú qián, nǐ yào xiān chuān hǎo qiúxié.

Before playing, you need to put on your sneakers first.

打蛇先打头,擒贼要擒王

dǎ shé xiān dǎtóu,qín zéi yào qín Wáng

to strike a snake, hit the head first; to catch bandits, catch their chief

打铁先要本身硬

dǎtiě xiān yào běnshēn yìng

to forge iron, the smith himself must first be hard

投标前，请先看清要求。

Tóubiāo qián, qǐng xiān kànqīng yāoqiú.

Before you submit a bid, please read the requirements carefully.

招人要先问人力资源。

Zhāo rén yào xiān wèn rénlìzīyuán.

When hiring, you should ask human resources first.

按习俗，寿星要先吃一碗长寿面。

Àn xísú, shòuxīng yào xiān chī yì wǎn chángshòumiàn.

According to custom, the birthday elder eats a bowl of longevity noodles first.

按情理说，他应该先道歉。

Àn qínglǐ shuō, tā yīnggāi xiān dàoqiàn.

By rights, he should apologize first.

换工作之前，你最好先权衡利弊。

Huàn gōngzuò zhīqián, nǐ zuìhǎo xiān quánhénglìbì.

Before changing jobs, you'd better weigh the pros and cons.

搬家以前，要先整理好物品。

Bānjiā yǐqián, yào xiān zhěnglǐ hǎo wùpǐn.

Before moving, you need to sort out your belongings first.

搬新家要先择日吗？

Bān xīn jiā yào xiān zérì ma?

Do you have to choose a lucky date before moving into a new home?

救援队来之前，先要自救。

Jiùyuánduì lái zhīqián, xiān yào zìjiù.

Before the rescue team arrives, you have to help yourself first.

教练先给大家示范了一遍。

Jiàoliàn xiān gěi dàjiā shìfànle yíbiàn.

The coach first demonstrated it once for everyone.

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.

新买的炒锅要先洗干净。

Xīn mǎi de chǎoguō yào xiān xǐ gānjìng.

A newly bought wok has to be washed clean first.

新制度先试行三个月。

Xīn zhìdù xiān shìxíng sān gè yuè.

The new system will be tested for three months first.

新手机要先插卡才能激活。

Xīn shǒujī yào xiān chā kǎ cái néng jīhuó.

A new phone has to have a SIM card inserted before it can be activated.

新手机要先激活才能用。

Xīn shǒujī yào xiān jīhuó cái néng 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.

晚辈要先给长辈敬酒。

Wǎnbèi yào xiān gěi zhǎngbèi jìngjiǔ.

The younger ones should propose a toast to the elders 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.

未穷先穷不穷，未富先富不富

wèi qióng xiān qióng bù qióng, wèi fù xiān fù bú fù

plan as poor before you are poor and you won't be poor; live as rich before you are rich and you won't be rich

机不密，祸先招

jī bú mì, huò xiān zhāo

if the plan isn't secret, disaster is invited 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.

查字典时，可以先找部首。

Chá zìdiǎn shí, kěyǐ xiān zhǎo bùshǒu.

When using a dictionary, you can look up the radical first.

模具坏了，机器只好先停下来。

Mújù huàile, jīqì zhǐhǎo xiān tíngxiàlái.

The mold broke, so the machine had to be stopped for now.