xian1
  1. beforehand; first; earlier
  2. at first; originally
  3. for the time being; for now
  4. (prefix) my late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself)

Examples

好的,但我们先吃晚饭吧。
初次穿着前要先清洗。
如果你想成功,必先付出努力。
在把车子借出去之前,我想先看一眼。
要是我回来晚了,不用等我,你先睡。

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