先是 (xiān shì) — (adverb) at first, initially (in a sequence)

Definition

Marks the first step in a before-and-after sequence ('at first / initially'), usually paired with 后来 or 最后 to introduce the contrast. Adverb: place it before the verb or subject.

adverb

at firstinitially (in a sequence)

Examples

先是，。
xiān shì Tiān qì hěn rè, hòu lái tū rán xià qǐ le dà yǔ.
At first it was very hot, then suddenly it started pouring rain.
先是，。
Tā xiān shì bù tóng yì wǒ men de jì huà, dàn zuì hòu bèi shuō fú le.
He initially disagreed with our plan, but was finally persuaded.
先是，。
Zhè bù diàn yǐng xiān shì hěn wú liáo, kě shì kàn dào hòu miàn yuè lái yuè jīng cǎi.
This movie was boring at first, but it gets more and more exciting later.