Word: 先 (xiān)

正人先正己

zhèng rén xiān zhèng jǐ

to correct others, first correct yourself

每天早上我都先刷牙。

Měitiān zǎoshang wǒ dōu xiān shuāyá.

Every morning I brush my teeth first.

汤好了，你先尝尝再调味。

Tāng hǎole, nǐ xiān cháng cháng zài tiáowèi.

The soup is ready, so taste it before you season it.

洗澡前先打开热水器。

Xǐzǎo qián xiān dǎkāi rèshuǐqì.

Turn on the water heater before you bathe.

测量高度要先定一个基准。

Cèliáng gāodù yào xiān dìng yí gè jīzhǔn.

To measure height, you first need to set a datum.

消炎药先以清水加以冲淡再用。

Xiāoyányào xiān yǐ qīngshuǐ jiāyǐ chōngdàn zài yòng.

Dilute the antiobiotics with clean water before use.

渔民出海前，先拜龙王。

Yúmín chūhǎi qián, xiān bài Lóngwáng.

Before going out to sea, the fishermen first pay respects to the Dragon King.

演习开始前，请先关好门窗。

Yǎnxí kāishǐ qián, qǐng xiān guān hǎo ménchuāng.

Before the drill begins, please close the doors and windows.

演员要先揣摩角色的心理。

Yǎnyuán yào xiān chuǎimó juésè de xīnlǐ.

An actor must first analyze the character's state of mind.

演讲开始，鄙人先说几句。

Yǎnjiǎng kāishǐ, bǐrén xiān shuō jǐ jù.

As the speech begins, allow me to say a few words first.

火车快开了，请先去检票。

Huǒchē kuài kāile, qǐng xiān qù jiǎnpiào.

The train is about to leave, so please go get your ticket checked first.

炒鱼之前，先倒一点料酒。

Chǎo yú zhīqián, xiān dào yìdiǎn liàojiǔ.

Before stir-frying the fish, pour in a little cooking wine first.

点菜前先问问大家的喜好。

Diǎncài qián xiān wèn wèn dàjiā de xǐhào.

Before ordering, ask everyone about their preferences.

烤肉的时候，要先把炭点着。

Kǎoròu de shíhou, yào xiān bǎ tàn diǎnzháo.

When you barbecue, you have to light the charcoal first.

用之前，请先给杯子消毒。

Yòng zhīqián, qǐng xiān gěi bēizi xiāodú.

Please sterilize the cups before using them.

甲先走，乙跟在后面。

Jiǎ xiān zǒu, yǐ gēn zài hòumian.

The first one goes ahead, and the second follows behind.

电话响了，你先点一下暂停吧。

Diànhuà xiǎng le, nǐ xiān diǎn yíxià zàntíng ba.

The phone is ringing, so hit pause first.

画人像时，要先画好五官。

Huà rén xiàng shí, yào xiān huà hǎo wǔguān.

When drawing a portrait, you should draw the facial features first.

盖房子要先打好地基。

Gài fángzi yào xiān dǎ hǎo dìjī.

When building a house, you must lay the foundation first.

看历史要先弄清脉络。

Kàn lìshǐ yào xiān nòngqīng màiluò.

To study history, you first need to understand the overall context.

眼下最重要的是先休息。

Yǎnxià zuì zhòngyào de shì xiān xiūxi.

The most important thing right now is to rest first.

瞎子逮蝈蝈儿,先听听音儿

xiāzi dǎi guōguor,xiān tīngtīng yīn ér

a blind man catching a katydid: first listen for the sound

石油要先提炼才能使用。

Shíyóu yào xiān tíliàn cái néng shǐyòng.

Oil has to be refined before it can be used.

矿石要先被打碎，再提炼。

Kuàngshí yào xiān bèi dǎsuì, zài tíliàn.

Ore has to be crushed first and then refined.

租自行车要先交一百块押金。

Zū zìxíngchē yào xiān jiāo yìbǎi kuài yājīn.

To rent a bike, you first have to pay a one-hundred-yuan deposit.

笨人先起身，笨鸟早出林

bènrén xiān qǐshēn, bèn niǎo zǎo chū lín

the slow person gets up first; the clumsy bird leaves the woods early

第一个步骤是先把水烧开。

Dì yī gè bùzhòu shì xiān bǎ shuǐ shāokāi.

The first step is to boil the water.

签租约以前，你先看清楚。

Qiān zūyuē yǐqián, nǐ xiān kàn qīngchu.

Read it carefully before you sign the lease.

网球比赛开始，她先发球。

Wǎngqiú bǐsài kāishǐ, tā xiān fāqiú.

The tennis match began, and she served first.

网站上线前必须先备案。

Wǎngzhàn shàngxiàn qián bìxū xiān bèi'àn.

A website must be registered before it goes online.

老同志们，请大家先坐下休息。

Lǎo tóngzhìmen, qǐng dàjiā xiān zuòxia xiūxi.

Comrades, please all sit down and rest first.

老师每天上课都先点名。

Lǎoshī měitiān shàngkè dōu xiān diǎnmíng.

The teacher takes roll call first at every class.

老师让我们先听这段对话。

Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen xiān tīng zhè duàn duìhuà.

The teacher asked us to listen to this dialogue first.

肉要先酱一晚上才好吃。

Ròu yào xiān jiàng yì wǎnshang cái hǎochī.

The meat has to be marinated in soy paste overnight to taste good.

脚扭伤了，先敷点冰吧。

Jiǎo niǔshāngle, xiān fū diǎn bīng ba.

Your foot is sprained, so put some ice on it first.

自驾游前要先检查一下车。

Zìjiàyóu qián yào xiān jiǎnchá yí xiàchē.

Before a road trip, you should check the car first.

致富先治愚，治愚办教育

zhìfù xiān zhìyú, zhìyú bàn jiàoyù

to get rich, first cure ignorance; to cure ignorance, set up education

船长要先看洋流的方向。

Chuánzhǎng yào xiān kàn yángliú de fāngxiàng.

The captain has to check the direction of the ocean current first.

芝麻要先炒香，再放进去榨。

Zhīma yào xiān chǎo xiāng, zài fàng jìnqù zhà.

Sesame seeds must be roasted first, then put in to be pressed.

莲子要先泡一晚再煮。

Liánzǐ yào xiān pào yì wǎn zài zhǔ.

Lotus seeds need to be soaked overnight before cooking.

葡萄要先洗一洗再吃。

Pútao yào xiān xǐ yì xǐ zài chī.

We should wash the grapes before we eat them.

表格上请先写姓氏，再写名字。

Biǎogé shàng qǐng xiān xiě xìngshì, zài xiě míngzi.

On the form, please write your family name first, then your given name.

要孩子读书，先以身作则。

Yào háizi dúshū, xiān yǐshēnzuòzé.

If you want your child to read, set an example first.

要种好田，必须先搞好水利。

Yào zhǒng hǎo tián, bìxū xiān gǎohǎo shuǐlì.

To farm the land well, you must first get the irrigation in order.

要过河,先搭桥

yào guòhé,xiān dāqiáo

to cross the river, first build a bridge

见到老师，要先问好。

Jiàndào lǎoshī, yào xiān wènhǎo.

When you see your teacher, you should greet them first.

见面先说几句客套话吧。

Jiànmiàn xiān shuō jǐ jù kètàohuà ba.

Let's start with a few polite pleasantries when we meet.

让我们先看一下再说。

Ràng wǒmen xiān kàn yíxià zàishuō.

Let's just have a look first.

让我先讲完好吗？

Ràng wǒ xiān jiǎng wánhǎo ma?

Can you let me finish speaking?

请你先察看一下现场，再下结论。

Qǐng nǐ xiān chákàn yíxià xiànchǎng, zài xià jiélùn.

Please look carefully at the scene first before drawing a conclusion.

请先下载手机客户端。

Qǐng xiān xiàzǎi shǒujī kèhùduān.

Please download the mobile app first.

请先下载这个软件，再注册。

Qǐng xiān xiàzǎi zhège ruǎnjiàn, zài zhùcè.

Please download this software first, then register.

请先不要挂上电话。

Qǐng xiān búyào guà shàng diànhuà.

Please do not hang up the phone.

请先为他上菜。

Qǐng xiān wèi tā shàng cài.

Please serve him his meal first.

请先介绍一下公司的概况。

Qǐng xiān jièshào yíxià gōngsī de gàikuàng.

Please first give an introduction to the general situation of the company.

请先创建一个新文件夹。

Qǐng xiān chuàngjiàn yí gè xīn wénjiànjiā.

Please create a new folder first.

请先制定一个清楚的目标。

Qǐng xiān zhìdìng yí gè qīngchu de mùbiāo.

Please set a clear goal first.

请先口头通知大家，再发邮件。

Qǐng xiān kǒutóu tōngzhī dàjiā, zài fā yóujiàn.

Please tell everyone verbally first, then send an email.

请先填写这张表格。

Qǐng xiān tiánxiě zhè zhāng biǎogé.

Please fill out this form first.

请先打开公司的主页。

Qǐng xiān dǎkāi gōngsī de zhǔyè.

Please open the company's home page first.

请先打开手机的蓝牙。

Qǐng xiān dǎkāi shǒujī de Lányá.

Please turn on your phone's Bluetooth first.

请先把报告的纲要发给我。

Qǐng xiān bǎ bàogào de gāngyào fāgěi wǒ.

Please send me the outline of the report first.

请先把电源关上，再打开机器。

Qǐng xiān bǎ diànyuán guānshàng, zài dǎkāi jīqì.

Please turn off the power first, then open the machine.

请先擦一下机器的外部。

Qǐng xiān cā yíxià jīqì de wàibù.

Please wipe the exterior of the machine first.

请先活动一下肢体。

Qǐng xiān huódòng yíxià zhītǐ.

Please loosen up your limbs and body first.

请先用现有的材料做。

Qǐng xiān yòng xiànyǒu de cáiliào zuò.

Please start with the materials we currently have.

请先界定一下这个词的范围。

Qǐng xiān jièdìng yíxià zhège cí de fànwéi.

Please first delimit the scope of this word.

请先登录再购物。

Qǐng xiān dēnglù zài gòuwù.

Please log in before you shop.

请先看一下产品手册。

Qǐng xiān kàn yíxià chǎnpǐn shǒucè.

Please take a look at the product manual first.

请先看看这份保密协议。

Qǐng xiān kànkan zhè fèn bǎomìxiéyì.

Please read this confidentiality agreement first.

请先让电脑联网，再下载。

Qǐng xiān ràng diànnǎo liánwǎng, zài xiàzǎi.

Please get the computer online first, then download it.

请先选好颜色，再下单。

Qǐng xiān xuǎn hǎo yánsè, zài xiàdān.

Please choose a color first, then place your order.

请先预习，再来上课。

Qǐng xiān yùxí, zài lái shàngkè.

Please prepare the lesson first, then come to class.

豆子要先浸泡一晚上再煮。

Dòuzi yào xiān jìnpào yì wǎnshang zài zhǔ.

The beans need to soak overnight before you cook them.

起床以后，你先把被子叠好。

Qǐchuáng yǐhòu, nǐ xiān bǎ bèizi dié hǎo.

After you get up, fold your quilt first.

起床后，先舒展一下身体。

Qǐchuáng hòu, xiān shūzhǎn yíxià shēntǐ.

After getting up, first stretch your body a little.

起床后先舒展一下身体。

Qǐchuáng hòu xiān shūzhǎn yíxià shēntǐ.

After getting up, first stretch your body a little.

起步前请先系好安全带。

Qǐbù qián qǐng xiān jì hǎo ānquándài.

Please fasten your seat belt before pulling away.

越野跑要先熟悉地形。

Yuèyěpǎo yào xiān shúxī dìxíng.

For cross-country running, you must first get familiar with the terrain.

跑步以前，先热身十分钟。

Pǎobù yǐqián, xiān rèshēn shí fēnzhōng.

Before running, warm up for ten minutes first.

跑步前先活动一下关节。

Pǎobù qián xiān huódòng yíxià guānjié.

Loosen up your joints before you go running.

转载这篇文章要先问作者。

Zhuǎnzǎi zhè piān wénzhāng yào xiān wèn zuòzhě.

You need to ask the author before reprinting this article.

输血以前，护士要先检查血型。

Shūxuè yǐqián, hùshi yào xiān jiǎnchá xuèxíng.

Before a transfusion, the nurse has to check the blood type.

运动前要先拉伸肌肉。

Yùndòng qián yào xiān lāshēn jīròu.

You should stretch your muscles before exercising.

近火的先焦

jìn huǒ de xiān jiāo

what is near the fire gets scorched first

这件事要先问问总经理。

Zhè jiàn shì yào xiān wèn wèn zǒngjīnglǐ.

We should ask the general manager about this first.

这份合同要先经过律师审查。

Zhè fèn hétong yào xiān jīngguò lǜshī shěnchá.

This contract has to be examined by a lawyer first.

这台新电脑要先设置密码。

Zhè tái xīn diànnǎo yào xiān shèzhì mìmǎ.

You have to set up a password on this new computer first.

这块地要先耕一遍，再种菜。

Zhèkuài de yào xiān gēng yíbiàn, zài zhòngcài.

This plot has to be tilled once before planting vegetables.

这批货先存放在保税区。

Zhè pī huò xiān cúnfàng zài bǎoshuìqū.

This batch of goods will be stored in the bonded area first.

这把钥匙请你先替我保管一下。

Zhè bǎ yàoshi qǐng nǐ xiān tì wǒ bǎoguǎn yíxià.

Please keep this key safe for me for now.

这条路会分期修好，先修东边。

Zhè tiáo lù huì fēnqī xiūhǎo, xiān xiū dōngbian.

This road will be repaired in stages, starting with the east side.

这片地太硬，得先耕一遍。

Zhè piàn de tài yìng, de xiān gēng yíbiàn.

This land is too hard, so it needs to be tilled once first.

这道数学题要先算出未知数的值。

Zhè dào shùxué tí yào xiān suàn chū wèizhīshù de zhí.

In this math problem you must first work out the value of the unknown.

进公园之前，你要先扫码。

Jìn gōngyuán zhīqián, nǐ yào xiān sǎomǎ.

You have to scan the code before entering the park.

进医院前要先做核酸。

Jìn yīyuàn qián yào xiān zuò hésuān.

You have to get a nucleic acid test before entering the hospital.

进地铁站以前，包要先扫描。

Jìn dìtiězhàn yǐqián, bāo yào xiān sǎomiáo.

Before entering the subway station, bags have to be scanned first.

进地铁站前，包要先安检吗？

Jìn dìtiězhàn qián, bāo yào xiān ānjiǎn ma?

Do bags have to be security-checked before entering the subway station?

进门以前，先把衣服上的雪抖掉。

Jìnmén yǐqián, xiān bǎ yīfu shàng de xuě dǒu diào.

Before coming in, shake the snow off your clothes.

送人前先撕掉价格标签。

Sòng rén qián xiān sīdiào jiàgébiāoqiān.

Tear off the price tag before giving it as a gift.