先行 (xiān xíng) — to go ahead; to precede; to take the lead

Definition

Formal verb meaning 'to go first / take the lead', usually modifying another verb (e.g. 先行推进, 先行出发) to mean 'do X in advance'. Carries a written, official tone.

verb
to go aheadto precedeto take the lead

Examples

  • 先行。
    Zhè ge xiàng mù yóu wǒ men bù mén xiān xíng tuī jìn.
    This project will be pushed forward by our department in advance.
  • 先行，。
    Bù duì xiān xíng chū fā, hòu qín suí hòu gēn shàng.
    The troops set out ahead, with logistics following later.
  • ，先行。
    Zài tán pàn zhōng, tā xiān xíng tí chū le guān jiàn tiáo jiàn.
    During the negotiations, he took the lead in putting forward key conditions.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

先xiānbefore
行xínggo

先 gives before, 行 gives go, so the word means to go ahead.

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.

  • 彳彳chì
  • 亍亍chù

The shape of 行 originally showed a street intersection, even on both sides. Later it became uneven, with 彳 on the left and 亍 on the right.

Open 行 →

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