先 xiān
“early; prior; former”
adverbHSK 3 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
先 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 890: 先 xiān — Level 3; official annotation 3 (副). PDF page 102
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 先
先 means "first" or "earlier" in an order or sequence. It is an adverb placed after the subject and before the verb phrase. A common pattern is subject + 先 + verb, often followed by 再 or 然后 to show what happens first.
例句Example sentences
- 你先走，我马上来。nǐ xiān zǒu, wǒ mǎ shàng lái.You go first; I'll be right there.
- 我们先进去吧，外面很冷。wǒ men xiān jìn qù ba, wài miàn hěn lěng.Let's go inside first; it's cold outside.
- 你先吃，不用等我。nǐ xiān chī, bú yòng děng wǒ.You start eating first; no need to wait for me.
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗先我走了
✓我先走了
先 is an adverb and must come after the subject, not before it.