为先 (wéi xiān) — to put first, to prioritize

Definition

Usually appears as …为先 ('…comes first') — a formal, written pattern saying one thing takes priority over others. Use 以X为先 to mean 'take X as the top priority'.

verb
to put firstto prioritize

Examples

  • 为先，。
    Jiàn kāng wéi xiān, shēn tǐ zuì zhòng yào.
    Health comes first; the body is most important.
  • 为先。
    Fán shì yīng yǐ ān quán wéi xiān.
    In all matters, safety should be the priority.
  • ，为先。
    Xué xí yào jiǎng jiu fāng fǎ, xiào lǜ wéi xiān.
    In studying, proper methods matter, and efficiency comes first.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

为wèimake
先xiānfirst place

The 为 means to make, and 先 points to first place.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 為; 为 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 為 showed a hand holding an elephant; the simplified 为 is a later shorthand.

Open 为 →

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 →

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