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.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

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

在zàiat
先xiānbefore

在 means to be at and 先 means before, so it points to a former time or place.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

The early form of 在 used 才 for its sound; a second sound part 士 was added later, and that 士 became the 土 seen in 在.

Open 在 →

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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