在先 (zài xiān) — formerly; in the past; before; in front; ahead

Definition

A formal/written phrase meaning 'beforehand, previously' — used in legal, academic, or written contexts (e.g. 区别于在先申请). Colloquial speech prefers 以前 or 之前.

verb

formerlyin the pastbeforein frontahead

Examples

在先。
Zhè ge jì shù fāng àn qū bié yú zài xiān shēn qǐng.
This technical solution is different from the prior application.
在先。
Tā de guān diǎn zài xiān yǐ jīng bèi tǎo lùn guò.
His opinion has already been discussed previously.
在先。
Qǐng zài zài xiān zuò hǎo zhǔn bèi zài chū fā.
Please prepare well ahead of time before departing.

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