先 Stroke Order — How to Write 先
先 is written in 6 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 儿, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
先 Radical and Character Components
先 is an ideographic compound. Someone stepping 止 in front of another person 儿.
Radical: 儿 + 4 more strokes
先 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- xiān
Meanings of 先 in Chinese
1
xiān先
First, before, in advance; earlier in time or order, opposite of 'after'.
他有先见之明，提前做好了准备。
He had the foresight and made preparations in advance.
Earlier generations of a family or group; ancestors.
我们应该尊敬我们的先人。
We should respect our ancestors.
A respectful term for a deceased person, such as an ancestor, a late father, or a revered sage.
我们缅怀先祖，传承他们的美德。
We commemorate our ancestors and carry on their virtues.
Common Words and Phrases with 先
1
Elders, predecessors, or ancestors; often used as a respectful term.
我们应该学习先辈的智慧和经验，传承优秀的文化传统。
We should learn from the wisdom and experience of our revered predecessors and carry on excellent cultural traditions.
2
Deceased mother.
他常常回忆起先妣生前的教诲。
He often recalls the teachings of his late mother during her lifetime.
3
To take the lead; to be the first to act.
凭借着对市场趋势的敏锐洞察，这家公司在新品开发上抢得了先鞭，迅速占领了市场份额。
With keen insight into market trends, this company gained a head start in new product development and quickly captured market share.
4
Firstly; first and foremost; as a top priority.
先不先，我们把房间打扫干净，再来考虑别的。
First of all, let's clean the room, and then consider other things.
5
deceased mother
每逢佳节，我便会想起先慈的音容笑貌
Every festive occasion, I recall the voice, appearance, and smile of my late mother.
6
Famous predecessors or ancestors known for their great virtue and profound knowledge.
在学术研讨会上，年轻学者们虚心听取先达们的教诲。
At academic seminars, young scholars humbly listened to the teachings of the esteemed predecessors.
7
Deceased grandmother.
每逢佳节，我都会想起先大母做的香甜粽子。
Every festive season, I recall the sweet zongzi my late grandmother used to make.
8
A guide or forerunner; leading or introductory.
这项新技术将成为未来发展的先导。
This new technology will serve as a precursor to future development.
9
an imperial edict left by a deceased emperor before death
记载着先帝遗诏的竹简被小心翼翼地保存着，后人得以从中窥见其深远智慧。
The bamboo slips recording the deceased emperor's last will were carefully preserved, allowing future generations to glimpse his profound wisdom.
10
Eager to be among the first to see or read something.
这本书刚出版，我迫不及待地买回来先睹为快。
This book has just been published, and I eagerly bought it to get a first look.
11
To take preemptive action to gain an advantage or control over an opponent.
在谈判中，小李决定先发制人，提出了一个详细的方案，从而掌握了主动权。
In the negotiation, Xiao Li decided to pre-empt, presenting a detailed plan first, thereby gaining the initiative.
12
Vanguard or pioneer.
这家公司是行业内的先锋，总是推出令人惊叹的新产品。
This company is a pioneer in the industry, constantly launching astonishing new products.
13
my deceased father; my late father
先父生前常常教导我，做人要诚实守信
My late father often taught me during his lifetime that one should be honest and trustworthy.
14
Deceased father; late father; deceased elder/ancestor.
先公在世时，常教导我们要勤俭持家。
When my late father was alive, he often taught us to be diligent and thrifty in managing our household.
15
Refers to the Western Han Dynasty and the early period of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
许多珍贵的文化遗产可以追溯到先汉时期。
Many precious cultural heritages can be traced back to the Former Han period.
16
A pioneer or precursor; something that initiates a trend or development.
这项创新技术为解决环境污染问题开创了先河。
This innovative technology has set a precedent for solving environmental pollution problems.
More words with 先
- shuài率xiān先Be the first, Take the lead
- zhàn占xiān先Take precedence, Have priority
- qí其xiān先previously; before that time
- ràng让xiān先To let someone go first.
- xiān先jìn进Advanced, Progressive
- xiān先rén人ancestors, forefathers
- xiān先sheng生Mr., Sir
- xiān先zǔ祖ancestor, forefather
- shǒu首xiān先First, Firstly
- xiān先mín民Ancestors, Early inhabitants
- xiān先shi是first, initially
- xiān先xián贤sages, ancient worthies
- suàn算mìng命xiān先sheng生fortune-teller
- xiān先wáng王former king, late king
- xiān先xíng行Precede, Prior
- yōu优xiān先priority, preferential
- lǎo老xiān先sheng生old gentleman, sir
- lǐ李xiān先sheng生Mr. Li
- lǐng领xiān先Lead, Ahead
- qiǎng抢xiān先Preempt, Get ahead
Idioms with 先
- xiān先gōng公hòu后sī私prioritize public over private interest
- xiān先huā花hòu后guǒ果have daughters before sons
- xiān先jiàn见zhī之míng明foresight
- xiān先kǔ苦hòu后tián甜endure hardship then enjoy success
- xiān先lái来hòu后dào到first come, first served
- xiān先lǐ礼hòu后bīng兵courtesy before force
- xiān先qū驱lóu蝼yǐ蚁willingly sacrifice oneself first for another
- xiān先rén人hòu后jǐ己put others before oneself
- xiān先rù入wéi为zhǔ主First impressions dominate judgment
- xiān先rù入zhī之jiàn见preconceived notion
- xiān先shēng声duó夺rén人Seize initiative by acting first
- xiān先shēng声hòu后shí实Build momentum, then act
Recommended tools
Chinese Text Image Generator
Create PNGs with pinyin, highlight character parts or remove strokes
Open the tool →
Picture Worksheets
Chinese and English fill-in vocabulary worksheets
Open the tool →
Stroke Order Animator
Turn a Chinese character or sentence into a GIF or MP4
Open the tool →
Character Highlight Animator
Choose character parts and animate their colors, together or in stroke order
Open the tool →Questions about 先
What does 先 mean in Chinese?
先 (xiān) means “First, before, in advance” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 先?
先 is pronounced xiān in Mandarin Chinese.
How many strokes does 先 have?
先 has 6 strokes.
How do you write 先?
先 is written in 6 strokes, starting from the radical 儿. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 先?
The radical of 先 is 儿, and 先 is an ideographic compound.
