try to be the first ⇒ 昨天的讨论会上,个个都争先发言。 Zuótiān de tǎolùnhuì shang, gègè dōu zhēngxiān fāyán. → At yesterday's conference everyone was vying to speak.

have priority

ancestor

omen

prerequisite

the past

⇒ 公司晋升不分先后,只凭个人能力。 Gōngsī jìnshēng bù fēn xiānhòu, zhǐ píng gèrén nénglì. → The company makes no distinction as to seniority but promotes people on the basis of ability.

⇒ 你臂上的印记是先天的吗？ Nǐ bì shang de yìnjì shì xiāntiān de ma? → Is that a birth mark on your arm?

guide

start

( 指男士 ) Mr ⇒ 吴先生 Wú xiānsheng → Mr Wu

( 先走 ) go ahead ( pt went ) , pp gone

ancestors pl

advanced

advance

vanguard

pioneer

original

be the first ⇒ 抢先报道新闻 qiǎngxiān bàodào xīnwén → be the first to report the news

⇒ 中国率先研制出了这种高效肥料。 Zhōngguó shuàixiān yánzhìchūle zhè zhǒng gāoxiào féiliào. → China has taken the lead in developing this highly efficient fertilizer.

ancestors pl

the beginning

in advance ⇒ 租用会议室，要预先提出申请。 Zūyòng huìyìshì, yào yùxiān tíchū shēnqǐng. → If you want to hire the meeting room you have to submit a request in advance.

lead ( pt , pp led ) ⇒ 他在比赛中遥遥领先。 Tā zài bǐsài zhōng yáoyáo lǐngxiān. → He took a runaway lead in the competition.

( 最早 ) first ⇒ 王教授在会上首先发言。 Wáng jiàoshòu zài huì shang shǒuxiān fāyán. → Professor Wang spoke first in the meeting.

take the lead

show of strength

yes man ⇒ 他是个好好先生,谁都不想得罪。 Tā shì gè hǎohǎoxiānsheng, shuí dōu bù xiǎng dézuì. → He's such a yes man — he doesn't like to offend anyone.

the early bird catches the worm