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先…再…

HSK 3
  • Conjunctions

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Subject先Verb 1, 再Verb 2

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

Used to express the sequence of actions: doing one thing first before then doing another.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

The paired conjunctions 先…再… (xiān…zài…) are used to express the sequential order of two actions. 先 precedes the first verb, and 再 precedes the second verb.

This structure is very common when you want to make plans, give instructions, or recount a series of events. It emphasizes that action 1 must occur or be completed before action 2 takes place. Simply put: 'do A first, then do B'.

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 我先吃饭，再去上学。
    繁: 我先吃飯，再去上學。Wǒ xiān chī fàn, zài qù shàng xué.

    I eat first, then go to school.

  2. 你先做完作业，再看电视。
    繁: 你先做完作業，再看電視。Nǐ xiān zuò wán zuòyè, zài kàn diànshì.

    You finish your homework first, then you can watch TV.

  3. 我们先商量一下，再决定。
    繁: 我們先商量一下，再決定。Wǒmen xiān shāngliang yíxià, zài juédìng.

    We'll discuss it first, then make a decision.

  4. 请先上车，再买票。
    繁: 請先上車，再買票。Qǐng xiān shàng chē, zài mǎi piào.

    Please board the vehicle first, then purchase a ticket afterward.

  5. 他想先工作两年，再出国。
    繁: 他想先工作兩年，再出國。Tā xiǎng xiān gōngzuò liǎng nián, zài chū guó.

    He wants to work for two years first, then go abroad.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong:我再吃饭，先去上学。
    Correct:我先吃饭，再去上学。

    This structure has a fixed word order. 先 always goes with the action that happens first, 再 goes with the action that happens second.

  • Wrong:我先吃饭然后去上学。
    Correct:我先吃饭，再去上学。

    Although `然后` also means 'then' or 'afterwards', when `先` is already used, the most natural and common pairing is with `再`.