首先 (shǒu xiān) — first of all; in the first place
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.
Appears in
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