首先 (shǒu xiān) — first of all; in the first place | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

A set-opening adverb: 'first of all, in the first place.' Unlike the bare adverb 先 (which marks the earlier of two steps), 首先 announces the first item in a list, argument, or plan — often translated 'firstly'.

first of allin the first place

Examples

首先，。
shǒu xiān, Qǐng bǎ chuāng hu dǎ kāi.
First, please open the window.
首先，。
shǒu xiān, Wǒ men yào jiǎn chá yí biàn.
First, we need to check it once.
首先。
Nǐ shǒu xiān gào sù dà jiā zhè ge xiāo xi.
You first tell everyone this news.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

首 and 先 both carry first, so together they mean first of all.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The shape comes from an old drawing of an animal's head, showing a long mouth and horns; the version with hair became 首.

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

止止zhǐfoot
儿儿érperson

先 combines 止 (foot) and 儿 (person) to show someone moving forward.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 4 HSK 2.0 Level 4 1000 Most Frequent Chinese Words Order & Arrangement 2000 Most Frequent Chinese Words 3000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

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