先

xiān

HSK 3

先 — xiān

1. beforehand; earlier; at first; for the time being; for now

   我们先把作业做完再玩。 wǒmen xiān bǎ zuòyè zuò wán zài wán — Let's finish our homework first and then play.

2. first (in order or time)

   她是先到的人。 tā shì xiān dào de rén — She was the first person to arrive.

3. (prefix) my late (used for deceased relatives older than oneself)

   他是我的先父。 tā shì wǒ de xiānfù — He was my late father.