首先 shǒuxiān first (of all)
first (of all); in the first place; firstly
How to remember 首先: 首 head + 先 first = first (of all).
Characters
How it is used
- 'First of all / to begin with' - orders points or steps - 首先，我们要冷静 (shǒuxiān, wǒmen yào lěngjìng) first, we need to stay calm.
- Often paired downstream with 其次 (qícì, secondly) and 最后 (zuìhòu, finally).
- More structured/formal than 先 (xiān, first): 首先 opens an enumerated sequence, especially in speeches and essays.
Example sentences
- 我在会上首先发言。 Wǒ zài huì shang shǒuxiān fāyán.I spoke first at the meeting.