先…然后…
HSK 3- Conjunctions
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
Used to express the sequence of actions: do action A first, then do action B.
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The paired conjunction 先…然后… (xiān...ránhòu...) is used to express the sequential order of two actions. 先 (first) precedes the first verb, and 然后 (then, after that) precedes the second verb. This structure emphasizes a clear sequence and is commonly used in written language or when one wishes to speak in a somewhat more coherent and formal manner compared to 先...再....
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我先回家，然后吃饭。繁: 我先回家，然後吃飯。Wǒ xiān huí jiā, ránhòu chī fàn.
I go home first, then eat dinner.
- 我们先去北京，然后去上海。繁: 我們先去北京，然後去上海。Wǒmen xiān qù Běijīng, ránhòu qù Shànghǎi.
We'll go to Beijing first, then go to Shanghai.
- 你先做作业，然后看电视。繁: 你先做作業，然後看電視。Nǐ xiān zuò zuòyè, ránhòu kàn diànshì.
You should do your homework first, then watch TV.
- 他先洗了个澡，然后睡觉了。繁: 他先洗了個澡，然後睡覺了。Tā xiān xǐ le ge zǎo, ránhòu shuìjiào le.
He took a bath first, then went to sleep.
- 请先填表，然后排队。繁: 請先填表，然後排隊。Qǐng xiān tián biǎo, ránhòu páiduì.
Please fill out the form first, then get in line.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我回家先，然后吃饭。Correct:我先回家，然后吃饭。
In Chinese, `先` precedes the verb to indicate an action that happens first, differing from the Vietnamese structure of 'verb + before'.
- Wrong:先我学习，然后休息。Correct:我先学习，然后休息。
The adverb `先` must come after the subject and before the verb; it cannot stand at the beginning of a sentence when the subject is already stated.