| 先 | [ xiān ] early, prior, former, in advance, first |
| 先下手為強 | [ xiān xià shoǔ weí qiáng ] strike first and gain the upper hand (idiom, martial arts term); Making the first move is an advantage. |
| 先下手为强 | [ xiān xià shoǔ weí qiáng ] strike first and gain the upper hand (idiom, martial arts term); Making the first move is an advantage. |
| 先不先 | [ xiān bù xiān ] (dialect) first of all, in the first place |
| 先人 | [ xiān rén ] ancestors, previous generations, my late father |
| 先令 | [ xiān lìng ] shilling (loanword) |
| 先來後到 | [ xiān laí hoù daò ] in order of arrival, first come, first served |
| 先来后到 | [ xiān laí hoù daò ] in order of arrival, first come, first served |
| 先例 | [ xiān lì ] antecedent, precedent |
| 先兆 | [ xiān zhaò ] omen |
| 先入為主 | [ xiān rù weí zhǔ ] the first impression is the strongest, to hold a preconceived notion (about sth) |
| 先入为主 | [ xiān rù weí zhǔ ] the first impression is the strongest, to hold a preconceived notion (about sth) |
| 先公 | [ xiān gōng ] deceased father, deceased senior male figure |
| 先兵後禮 | [ xiān bīng hoù lǐ ] opposite of 先禮後兵|先礼后兵[xian1 li3 hou4 bing1] |
| 先兵后礼 | [ xiān bīng hoù lǐ ] opposite of 先禮後兵|先礼后兵[xian1 li3 hou4 bing1] |
| 先到先得 | [ xiān daò xiān dé ] first come first served |
| 先前 | [ xiān qián ] before, previously |
| 先君 | [ xiān jūn ] my late father, my ancestors, the late emperor |
| 先哲 | [ xiān zhé ] distinguished precursor, famous thinker of antiquity |
| 先大母 | [ xiān dà mǔ ] deceased paternal grandmother |
| 先天 | [ xiān tiān ] embryonic period (contrasted with 後天|后天 [hou4 tian1]), inborn, innate, natural |
| 先天下之憂而憂，後天下之樂而樂 | [ xiān tiān xià zhī yoū ér yoū hoù tiān xià zhī lè ér lè ] The first concern is affairs of state, enjoying the pleasure comes later. Quotation from essay On Yueyang Tower 岳陽樓記|岳阳楼记 by Song writer Fan Zhongyan 范仲淹[Fan4 Zhong4 yan1] |
| 先天下之忧而忧，后天下之乐而乐 | [ xiān tiān xià zhī yoū ér yoū hoù tiān xià zhī lè ér lè ] The first concern is affairs of state, enjoying the pleasure comes later. Quotation from essay On Yueyang Tower 岳陽樓記|岳阳楼记 by Song writer Fan Zhongyan 范仲淹[Fan4 Zhong4 yan1] |
| 先天不足 | [ xiān tiān bù zú ] congenital deficiency, inherent weakness |
| 先天不足，後天失調 | [ xiān tiān bù zú hoù tiān shī ] to be born with a weak constitution and suffer from ill health during one's life, (fig.) to be problematic from the start, and get even worse over time |
| 先天不足，后天失调 | [ xiān tiān bù zú hoù tiān shī ] to be born with a weak constitution and suffer from ill health during one's life, (fig.) to be problematic from the start, and get even worse over time |
| 先天性 | [ xiān tiān xìng ] congenital, intrinsic, innateness |
| 先天性缺陷 | [ xiān tiān xìng quē xiàn ] birth defect |
| 先天愚型 | [ xiān tiān yú xíng ] Down syndrome, trisomy 21 |
| 先天與後天 | [ xiān tiān yǔ hoù tiān ] nature versus nurture |
| 先天与后天 | [ xiān tiān yǔ hoù tiān ] nature versus nurture |
| 先妣 | [ xiān bǐ ] deceased mother, mother of an ancestor |
| 先容 | [ xiān róng ] to introduce sb, to recommend |
| 先導 | [ xiān daǒ ] guide, forerunner, pioneer |
| 先导 | [ xiān daǒ ] guide, forerunner, pioneer |
| 先帝遺詔 | [ xiān dì yí zhaò ] posthumous edict of former emperor, Liu Bei's 劉備|刘备 edict to posterity |
| 先帝遗诏 | [ xiān dì yí zhaò ] posthumous edict of former emperor, Liu Bei's 劉備|刘备 edict to posterity |
| 先後 | [ xiān hoù ] early or late, priority, in succession, one after another |
| 先后 | [ xiān hoù ] early or late, priority, in succession, one after another |
| 先後順序 | [ xiān hoù shùn xù ] order of priority, sequential order |
| 先后顺序 | [ xiān hoù shùn xù ] order of priority, sequential order |
| 先慈 | [ xiān cí ] deceased mother |
| 先斬後奏 | [ xiān zhǎn hoù zoù ] first decapitate then present your trophy (idiom); act first, report later |
| 先斩后奏 | [ xiān zhǎn hoù zoù ] first decapitate then present your trophy (idiom); act first, report later |
| 先有 | [ xiān yoǔ ] prior, preexisting |
| 先有後婚 | [ xiān yoǔ hoù hūn ] to marry after getting pregnant |
| 先有后婚 | [ xiān yoǔ hoù hūn ] to marry after getting pregnant |
| 先期 | [ xiān qī ] in advance, beforehand, premature, front-end |
| 先期錄音 | [ xiān qī lù yīn ] prerecording, to prerecord |
| 先期录音 | [ xiān qī lù yīn ] prerecording, to prerecord |
| 先機 | [ xiān jī ] key moment, decisive opportunity |
| 先机 | [ xiān jī ] key moment, decisive opportunity |
| 先民 | [ xiān mín ] forebears |
| 先決 | [ xiān jué ] prerequisite, precondition |
| 先决 | [ xiān jué ] prerequisite, precondition |
| 先決問題 | [ xiān jué wèn tí ] preliminary question, priority problem, issues requiring more immediate attention |
| 先决问题 | [ xiān jué wèn tí ] preliminary question, priority problem, issues requiring more immediate attention |
| 先決條件 | [ xiān jué jiàn ] precondition, prerequisite |
| 先决条件 | [ xiān jué jiàn ] precondition, prerequisite |
| 先河 | [ xiān hé ] priority, sth advocated first, refers to ancient tradition: Worship the river first, then the sea. |
| 先漢 | [ xiān hàn ] pre-Han, China before to 200 BC |
| 先汉 | [ xiān hàn ] pre-Han, China before to 200 BC |
| 先烈 | [ xiān liè ] martyr |
| 先父 | [ xiān fù ] deceased father, my late father |
| 先王 | [ xiān wáng ] former kings, former emperors, in Confucian writing, refers esp. to the sage rulers Yao 堯|尧[Yao2], Shun 舜[Shun4], Yu 禹[Yu3], Tang 湯|汤[Tang1] and the kings of Zhou |
| 先王之政 | [ xiān wáng zhī zhèng ] the rule of former kings |
| 先王之樂 | [ xiān wáng zhī yuè ] the music of former kings |
| 先王之乐 | [ xiān wáng zhī yuè ] the music of former kings |
| 先王之道 | [ xiān wáng zhī daò ] the way of former kings |
| 先生 | [ xiān sheng ] teacher, husband, doctor (dialect), CL:位[wei4], Mister (Mr.) |
| 先發 | [ xiān fā ] to take preemptive action, (sports) to be in the starting lineup, (of a baseball pitcher) to be the starting pitcher |
| 先发 | [ xiān fā ] to take preemptive action, (sports) to be in the starting lineup, (of a baseball pitcher) to be the starting pitcher |
| 先發制人 | [ xiān fā zhì rén ] to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to preempt, to anticipate, preemptive |
| 先发制人 | [ xiān fā zhì rén ] to gain the initiative by striking first (idiom); to preempt, to anticipate, preemptive |
| 先發投手 | [ xiān fā toú shoǔ ] (baseball) starting pitcher |
| 先发投手 | [ xiān fā toú shoǔ ] (baseball) starting pitcher |
| 先皇 | [ xiān huáng ] the late Emperor |
| 先睹為快 | [ xiān dǔ weí ] joy of first experience (idiom), the pleasure of reading sth for the first time |
| 先睹为快 | [ xiān dǔ weí ] joy of first experience (idiom), the pleasure of reading sth for the first time |
| 先知 | [ xiān zhī ] prophet |
| 先知先覺 | [ xiān zhī xiān jué ] foresight, having foresight, person of foresight |
| 先知先觉 | [ xiān zhī xiān jué ] foresight, having foresight, person of foresight |
| 先祖 | [ xiān zǔ ] deceased grandfather, ancestry |
| 先禮後兵 | [ xiān lǐ hoù bīng ] peaceful measures before using force (idiom); diplomacy before violence, jaw-jaw is better than war-war |
| 先礼后兵 | [ xiān lǐ hoù bīng ] peaceful measures before using force (idiom); diplomacy before violence, jaw-jaw is better than war-war |
| 先秦 | [ xiān qín ] pre-Qin, Chinese history up to the foundation of the Qin imperial dynasty in 221 BC |
| 先聲 | [ xiān shēng ] herald, precursor, harbinger |
| 先声 | [ xiān shēng ] herald, precursor, harbinger |
| 先聲奪人 | [ xiān shēng duó rén ] to gain the upper hand by a show of strength |
| 先声夺人 | [ xiān shēng duó rén ] to gain the upper hand by a show of strength |
| 先行 | [ xiān xíng ] to precede others, in advance |
| 先行者 | [ xiān xíng zhě ] forerunner |
| 先見 | [ xiān jiàn ] foresight, prescience |
| 先见 | [ xiān jiàn ] foresight, prescience |
| 先見之明 | [ xiān jiàn zhī míng ] foresight |
| 先见之明 | [ xiān jiàn zhī míng ] foresight |
| 先見者 | [ xiān jiàn zhě ] seer |
| 先见者 | [ xiān jiàn zhě ] seer |
| 先覺 | [ xiān jué ] person with foresight |
| 先觉 | [ xiān jué ] person with foresight |
| 先賢 | [ xiān xián ] worthy predecessor, distinguished person of the past, former sage |
| 先贤 | [ xiān xián ] worthy predecessor, distinguished person of the past, former sage |
| 先走一步 | [ xiān zoǔ yī bù ] to leave first (courteous expression used to excuse oneself), (euphemism) to predecease, to die first (e.g. before one's spouse) |
| 先輩 | [ xiān beì ] elders, former generations |
| 先辈 | [ xiān beì ] elders, former generations |
| 先進 | [ xiān jìn ] advanced (technology), to advance |
| 先进 | [ xiān jìn ] advanced (technology), to advance |
| 先進個人 | [ xiān jìn gè rén ] (official accolade) advanced individual, exemplary individual |
| 先进个人 | [ xiān jìn gè rén ] (official accolade) advanced individual, exemplary individual |
| 先進先出 | [ xiān jìn xiān chū ] (computing, inventory management etc) first in, first out |
| 先进先出 | [ xiān jìn xiān chū ] (computing, inventory management etc) first in, first out |
| 先進武器 | [ xiān jìn wǔ qì ] advanced weapon |
| 先进武器 | [ xiān jìn wǔ qì ] advanced weapon |
| 先進水平 | [ xiān jìn shuǐ píng ] advanced level |
| 先进水平 | [ xiān jìn shuǐ píng ] advanced level |
| 先進集體 | [ xiān jìn jí tǐ ] (official accolade) advanced team, exemplary group |
| 先进集体 | [ xiān jìn jí tǐ ] (official accolade) advanced team, exemplary group |
| 先達 | [ xiān dá ] famous and virtuous ancestors, the great men of the past |
| 先达 | [ xiān dá ] famous and virtuous ancestors, the great men of the past |
| 先遣隊 | [ xiān qiǎn duì ] advance party, advance troops |
| 先遣队 | [ xiān qiǎn duì ] advance party, advance troops |
| 先鋒 | [ xiān fēng ] vanguard, pioneer, avant-garde |
| 先锋 | [ xiān fēng ] vanguard, pioneer, avant-garde |
| 先鋒派 | [ xiān fēng paì ] avant-garde |
| 先锋派 | [ xiān fēng paì ] avant-garde |
| 先鋒隊 | [ xiān fēng duì ] vanguard |
| 先锋队 | [ xiān fēng duì ] vanguard |
| 先鞭 | [ xiān biān ] to take precedence, to make an early start, to lead the way |
| 先頭 | [ xiān toú ] in advance, ahead, before, previously |
| 先头 | [ xiān toú ] in advance, ahead, before, previously |
| 先驅 | [ xiān qū ] pioneer |
| 先驱 | [ xiān qū ] pioneer |
| 先驅者 | [ xiān qū zhě ] pioneer |
| 先驱者 | [ xiān qū zhě ] pioneer |
| 先驗 | [ xiān yàn ] a priori (philosophy) |
| 先验 | [ xiān yàn ] a priori (philosophy) |
| 先驗概率 | [ xiān yàn gaì lǜ ] prior probability (statistics) |
| 先验概率 | [ xiān yàn gaì lǜ ] prior probability (statistics) |
| ⇒ 一馬當先 | [ yī mǎ dāng xiān ] to take the lead |
| ⇒ 一马当先 | [ yī mǎ dāng xiān ] to take the lead |
| ⇒ 不首先使用 | [ bù shoǔ xiān shǐ yòng ] no first use (policy for nuclear weapons), NFU |
| ⇒ 事先 | [ shì xiān ] in advance, before the event, beforehand, prior |
| ⇒ 事先通知 | [ shì xiān tōng zhī ] preliminary notification, to announce in advance |
| ⇒ 佔先 | [ zhàn xiān ] to take precedence |
| ⇒ 占先 | [ zhàn xiān ] to take precedence |
| ⇒ 儘先 | [ jǐn xiān ] in the first instance, as a first priority |
| ⇒ 尽先 | [ jǐn xiān ] in the first instance, as a first priority |
| ⇒ 優先 | [ yoū xiān ] to have priority, to take precedence |
| ⇒ 优先 | [ yoū xiān ] to have priority, to take precedence |
| ⇒ 優先承購權 | [ yoū xiān chéng goù quán ] prior purchase right, right of first refusal (ROFR), preemptive right to purchase |
| ⇒ 优先承购权 | [ yoū xiān chéng goù quán ] prior purchase right, right of first refusal (ROFR), preemptive right to purchase |
| ⇒ 優先股 | [ yoū xiān gǔ ] preferred stock |
| ⇒ 优先股 | [ yoū xiān gǔ ] preferred stock |
| ⇒ 優先認股權 | [ yoū xiān rèn gǔ quán ] preemptive right (in share issue) |
| ⇒ 优先认股权 | [ yoū xiān rèn gǔ quán ] preemptive right (in share issue) |
| ⇒ 先不先 | [ xiān bù xiān ] (dialect) first of all, in the first place |
| ⇒ 先到先得 | [ xiān daò xiān dé ] first come first served |
| ⇒ 先知先覺 | [ xiān zhī xiān jué ] foresight, having foresight, person of foresight |
| ⇒ 先知先觉 | [ xiān zhī xiān jué ] foresight, having foresight, person of foresight |
| ⇒ 先進先出 | [ xiān jìn xiān chū ] (computing, inventory management etc) first in, first out |
| ⇒ 先进先出 | [ xiān jìn xiān chū ] (computing, inventory management etc) first in, first out |
| ⇒ 兵馬未動，糧草先行 | [ bīng mǎ weì dòng liáng caǒ xiān xíng ] before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom); logistics comes before military maneuvers, an army marches on its stomach |
| ⇒ 兵马未动，粮草先行 | [ bīng mǎ weì dòng liáng caǒ xiān xíng ] before the troops move, fodder and provisions go first (idiom); logistics comes before military maneuvers, an army marches on its stomach |
| ⇒ 其先 | [ qí xiān ] previously, before that, up to then |
| ⇒ 出師未捷身先死 | [ chū shī weì jié shēn xiān sǐ ] "he failed to complete his quest before death" (line from the poem "The Premier of Shu" 蜀相[Shu3 xiang4] by Du Fu 杜甫[Du4 Fu3]) |
| ⇒ 出师未捷身先死 | [ chū shī weì jié shēn xiān sǐ ] "he failed to complete his quest before death" (line from the poem "The Premier of Shu" 蜀相[Shu3 xiang4] by Du Fu 杜甫[Du4 Fu3]) |
| ⇒ 出頭的椽子先爛 | [ chū toú de chuán zi xiān làn ] lit. rafters that jut out rot first (idiom), fig. anyone who makes himself conspicuous will be targeted for attack |
| ⇒ 出头的椽子先烂 | [ chū toú de chuán zi xiān làn ] lit. rafters that jut out rot first (idiom), fig. anyone who makes himself conspicuous will be targeted for attack |
| ⇒ 原先 | [ yuán xiān ] originally, original, former |
| ⇒ 國際先驅論壇報 | [ guó jì xiān qū lùn tán baò ] International Herald Tribune |
| ⇒ 国际先驱论坛报 | [ guó jì xiān qū lùn tán baò ] International Herald Tribune |
| ⇒ 在先 | [ zaì xiān ] to come first, previous, prior, beforehand, first, formerly |
| ⇒ 大先知書 | [ dà xiān zhī shū ] the biblical books of the prophets |
| ⇒ 大先知书 | [ dà xiān zhī shū ] the biblical books of the prophets |
| ⇒ 女士優先 | [ nǚ shì yoū xiān ] Ladies first! |
| ⇒ 女士优先 | [ nǚ shì yoū xiān ] Ladies first! |
| ⇒ 好好先生 | [ haǒ haǒ xiān sheng ] Mr Goody-goody, yes-man (sb who agrees with anything) |
| ⇒ 少先隊 | [ shaò xiān duì ] Young Pioneers of China, abbr. for 少年先鋒隊|少年先锋队[Shao4 nian2 Xian1 feng1 dui4] |
| ⇒ 少先队 | [ shaò xiān duì ] Young Pioneers of China, abbr. for 少年先鋒隊|少年先锋队[Shao4 nian2 Xian1 feng1 dui4] |
| ⇒ 少年先鋒隊 | [ shaò nián xiān fēng duì ] Young Pioneers of China (primary school league, a preparation for Communist Youth League), abbr. to 少先隊|少先队 |
| ⇒ 少年先锋队 | [ shaò nián xiān fēng duì ] Young Pioneers of China (primary school league, a preparation for Communist Youth League), abbr. to 少先隊|少先队 |
| ⇒ 工欲善其事，必先利其器 | [ gōng yù shàn qí shì bì xiān lì qí qì ] To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job |
| ⇒ 巴先 | [ bā xiān ] percent (loanword) |
| ⇒ 後進先出 | [ hoù jìn xiān chū ] to come late and leave first, last in, first out (LIFO) |
| ⇒ 后进先出 | [ hoù jìn xiān chū ] to come late and leave first, last in, first out (LIFO) |
| ⇒ 從先 | [ cóng xiān ] (dialect) before, in the past, previously |
| ⇒ 从先 | [ cóng xiān ] (dialect) before, in the past, previously |
| ⇒ 德先生 | [ dé xiān sheng ] "Mr Democracy", phrase used during the May 4th Movement 五四運動|五四运动[Wu3 si4 Yun4 dong4], abbr. for 德謨克拉西|德谟克拉西[de2 mo2 ke4 la1 xi1], see also 賽先生|赛先生[Sai4 xian1 sheng5] |
| ⇒ 急先鋒 | [ jí xiān fēng ] daring vanguard, pioneer, leading figure |
| ⇒ 急先锋 | [ jí xiān fēng ] daring vanguard, pioneer, leading figure |
| ⇒ 惡人先告狀 | [ è rén xiān gaò zhuàng ] the guilty party files the suit, the thief cries thief |
| ⇒ 恶人先告状 | [ è rén xiān gaò zhuàng ] the guilty party files the suit, the thief cries thief |
| ⇒ 意存筆先，畫盡意在 | [ yì cún bǐ xiān huà jìn yì zaì ] the idea is present before the first stroke of the brush, when the last stroke is placed the idea shines through |
| ⇒ 意存笔先，画尽意在 | [ yì cún bǐ xiān huà jìn yì zaì ] the idea is present before the first stroke of the brush, when the last stroke is placed the idea shines through |
| ⇒ 愛羅先珂 | [ aì luó xiān kē ] Vasili Eroshenko (1890-1952), Russian writer and poet who wrote in Esperanto and Japanese |
| ⇒ 爱罗先珂 | [ aì luó xiān kē ] Vasili Eroshenko (1890-1952), Russian writer and poet who wrote in Esperanto and Japanese |
| ⇒ 憨豆先生 | [ hān doù xiān sheng ] Mr. Bean (TV) |
| ⇒ 戴克里先 | [ daì kè lǐ xiān ] Diocletian (c. 245-311), Roman emperor |
| ⇒ 承先啟後 | [ chéng xiān qǐ hoù ] see 承前啟後|承前启后[cheng2 qian2 qi3 hou4] |
| ⇒ 承先启后 | [ chéng xiān qǐ hoù ] see 承前啟後|承前启后[cheng2 qian2 qi3 hou4] |
| ⇒ 按時間先後 | [ àn shí jiān xiān hoù ] chronological |
| ⇒ 按时间先后 | [ àn shí jiān xiān hoù ] chronological |
| ⇒ 捷足先登 | [ jié zú xiān dēng ] the quick-footed climb up first (idiom), the early bird catches the worm, first come, first served |
| ⇒ 搶先 | [ qiǎng xiān ] to rush (to do sth urgent), to try to be the first, to forestall |
| ⇒ 抢先 | [ qiǎng xiān ] to rush (to do sth urgent), to try to be the first, to forestall |
| ⇒ 敢為人先 | [ gǎn weí rén xiān ] to dare to be first, to pioneer (idiom) |
| ⇒ 敢为人先 | [ gǎn weí rén xiān ] to dare to be first, to pioneer (idiom) |
| ⇒ 早先 | [ zaǒ xiān ] previously, before |
| ⇒ 春江水暖鴨先知 | [ chūn jiāng shuǐ nuǎn yā xiān zhī ] lit. the duck is the first to know if the spring water is warm (idiom), fig. an expert in the field knows which way the wind blows |
| ⇒ 春江水暖鸭先知 | [ chūn jiāng shuǐ nuǎn yā xiān zhī ] lit. the duck is the first to know if the spring water is warm (idiom), fig. an expert in the field knows which way the wind blows |
| ⇒ 最先 | [ zuì xiān ] (the) very first |
| ⇒ 有約在先 | [ yoǔ yuē zaì xiān ] to have a prior engagement |
| ⇒ 有约在先 | [ yoǔ yuē zaì xiān ] to have a prior engagement |
| ⇒ 未卜先知 | [ weì bǔ xiān zhī ] predictable, sth one can predict without being a clairvoyant |
| ⇒ 未老先衰 | [ weì laǒ xiān ] to age prematurely |
| ⇒ 李先念 | [ lǐ xiān niàn ] Li Xiannian (1909-1992), PRC general and politician |
| ⇒ 欲善其事，必先利其器 | [ yù shàn qí shì bì xiān lì qí qì ] To do a good job, an artisan needs the best tools (idiom). Good tools are prerequisite to the successful execution of a job |
| ⇒ 溘先朝露 | [ kè xiān zhaō lù ] the morning dew will swiftly dissipate (idiom); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence |
| ⇒ 爭先 | [ zhēng xiān ] to compete to be first, to contest first place |
| ⇒ 争先 | [ zhēng xiān ] to compete to be first, to contest first place |
| ⇒ 爭先恐後 | [ zhēng xiān kǒng hoù ] striving to be first and fearing to be last (idiom); outdoing one another |
| ⇒ 争先恐后 | [ zhēng xiān kǒng hoù ] striving to be first and fearing to be last (idiom); outdoing one another |
| ⇒ 率先 | [ xiān ] to take the lead, to show initiative |
| ⇒ 白先勇 | [ baí xiān yǒng ] Bai Xianyong (1937-), Chinese-Taiwanese-US novelist of Hui descent |
| ⇒ 百善孝為先 | [ baǐ shàn weí xiān ] of all virtues filial piety is most important (idiom) |
| ⇒ 百善孝为先 | [ baǐ shàn weí xiān ] of all virtues filial piety is most important (idiom) |
| ⇒ 直系祖先 | [ zhí xì zǔ xiān ] direct ancestor |
| ⇒ 祖先 | [ zǔ xiān ] ancestor, forebears |
| ⇒ 笨鳥先飛 | [ bèn xiān feī ] lit. the clumsy bird flies early (idiom); fig. to work hard to compensate for one's limited abilities |
| ⇒ 笨鸟先飞 | [ bèn xiān feī ] lit. the clumsy bird flies early (idiom); fig. to work hard to compensate for one's limited abilities |
| ⇒ 算命先生 | [ suàn mìng xiān sheng ] fortune-teller |
| ⇒ 纏夾二先生 | [ chán jiā èr xiān sheng ] annoying muddle-headed person who gabbles unintelligibly |
| ⇒ 缠夹二先生 | [ chán jiā èr xiān sheng ] annoying muddle-headed person who gabbles unintelligibly |
| ⇒ 聞風先遁 | [ wén fēng xiān dùn ] to flee at hearing the news (idiom) |
| ⇒ 闻风先遁 | [ wén fēng xiān dùn ] to flee at hearing the news (idiom) |
| ⇒ 賬房先生 | [ zhàng fáng xiān sheng ] bookkeeper (old) |
| ⇒ 账房先生 | [ zhàng fáng xiān sheng ] bookkeeper (old) |
| ⇒ 賽先生 | [ saì xiān sheng ] "Mr Science", phrase used during the May 4th Movement 五四運動|五四运动[Wu3 si4 Yun4 dong4], abbr. for 賽因斯|赛因斯[sai4 yin1 si1], see also 德先生[De2 xian1 sheng5] |
| ⇒ 赛先生 | [ saì xiān sheng ] "Mr Science", phrase used during the May 4th Movement 五四運動|五四运动[Wu3 si4 Yun4 dong4], abbr. for 賽因斯|赛因斯[sai4 yin1 si1], see also 德先生[De2 xian1 sheng5] |
| ⇒ 起先 | [ qǐ xiān ] at first, in the beginning |
| ⇒ 身先士卒 | [ shēn xiān shì zú ] to fight at the head of one's troops, (fig.) to take the lead |
| ⇒ 身先朝露 | [ shēn xiān zhaō lù ] body will go with the morning dew (idiom); fig. ephemeral and precarious nature of human existence |
| ⇒ 近水樓臺先得月 | [ jìn shuǐ loú taí xiān dé yuè ] the pavilion closest to the water enjoys moonlight first (idiom), to benefit from intimacy with an influential person |
| ⇒ 近水楼台先得月 | [ jìn shuǐ loú taí xiān dé yuè ] the pavilion closest to the water enjoys moonlight first (idiom), to benefit from intimacy with an influential person |
| ⇒ 遙遙領先 | [ yaó yaó lǐng xiān ] a long way in front, to lead by a wide margin |
| ⇒ 遥遥领先 | [ yaó yaó lǐng xiān ] a long way in front, to lead by a wide margin |
| ⇒ 開先 | [ kaī xiān ] at first |
| ⇒ 开先 | [ kaī xiān ] at first |
| ⇒ 開路先鋒 | [ kaī lù xiān fēng ] pioneer, trailbreaker |
| ⇒ 开路先锋 | [ kaī lù xiān fēng ] pioneer, trailbreaker |
| ⇒ 革命先烈 | [ gé mìng xiān liè ] martyr to the revolution |
| ⇒ 預先 | [ yù xiān ] beforehand, in advance |
| ⇒ 预先 | [ yù xiān ] beforehand, in advance |
| ⇒ 領先 | [ lǐng xiān ] to lead, to be in front |
| ⇒ 领先 | [ lǐng xiān ] to lead, to be in front |
| ⇒ 領先地位 | [ lǐng xiān dì weì ] lead(ing) position |
| ⇒ 领先地位 | [ lǐng xiān dì weì ] lead(ing) position |
| ⇒ 風水先生 | [ fēng shuǐ xiān sheng ] feng shui master, geomancer, stock figure in folk tales, as a wise adviser or a charlatan |
| ⇒ 风水先生 | [ fēng shuǐ xiān sheng ] feng shui master, geomancer, stock figure in folk tales, as a wise adviser or a charlatan |
| ⇒ 首先 | [ shoǔ xiān ] first (of all), in the first place |
