Word: 先 (xiān)

选课之前，先问问老师。

Xuǎnkè zhīqián, xiān wèn wèn lǎoshī.

Before choosing your courses, ask your teacher first.

钱我暂不用，你先拿去。

Qián wǒ zàn búyòng, nǐ xiān ná qù.

I don't need the money right now, so you take it first.

银行要先核实我的身份。

Yínháng yào xiān héshí wǒ de shēnfèn.

The bank needs to verify my identity first.

锻造之前，要先把铁烧红。

Duànzào zhīqián, yào xiān bǎ tiě shāo hóng.

Before forging, you first have to heat the iron until it glows red.

限于时间，先说到这。

Xiànyú shíjiān, xiān shuō dào zhè.

Because of limited time, let's stop here for now.

青菜要先焯水，再下锅炒。

Qīngcài yào xiān chāoshuǐ, zài xiàguō chǎo.

Greens should be blanched first, then stir-fried in the pan.

青菜要先用开水焯一下。

Qīngcài yào xiān yòng kāishuǐ zhuō yíxià.

Blanch the greens in boiling water first.

面试前，求职者要先填表。

Miànshì qián, qiúzhízhě yào xiān tiánbiǎo.

Before the interview, job applicants must first fill in a form.

飞行员先在仿真中练习。

Fēixíngyuán xiān zài fǎngzhēn zhōng liànxí.

Pilots first practice in a simulation.

饿了就先吃块面包垫底。

Èle jiù xiān chī kuài miànbāo diàndǐ.

If you're hungry, eat a piece of bread first to tide you over.

鸡肉要先腌二十分钟，才会入味。

Jīròu yào xiān yān èrshí fēnzhōng, cái huì rùwèi.

The chicken needs to marinate for twenty minutes first to take on flavor.