先于 (xiān yú) — to precede, to come before (in time, order, or rank)

Definition

先于 means 'to precede' — used for events or developments where one thing in time or logical order comes before another (often in formal/written contexts, e.g. agriculture preceded industry).

verb
to precedeto come before (in time, order, or rank)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 先于。
    Tā de chéng jiù xiān yú le tóng shí dài de qí tā rén.
    His achievements preceded those of others in his era.
  • 先于。
    Zhè ge lǐ lùn xiān yú le xiàn dài kē xué de fā zhǎn.
    This theory predates the development of modern science.
  • ，先于。
    Zài lì shǐ shàng, nóng yè xiān yú le gōng yè.
    In history, agriculture preceded industry.

Origin

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

先 combines 止 (foot) and 儿 (person) to show someone moving forward.

Open 先 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 一一yīflat stream of air
  • 丂丂kǎoto exhale

The old shape of 于 may have pictured an ancient wind instrument. Another explanation reads 一 as a flat stream of air and 丂 as an exhaling mark.

Open 于 →

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