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Grammar 文法 wén fɑ̌

*Adverb: First “先” xiɑ̄n

The meaning of “先” (xiɑ̄n) is “first”. It is used when we want to express that one thing has to be done before another one. The example below shows how to use it and it can be found in the dialogue.

For example: 我們要先到銀行換錢。 wǒ men yɑ̀o xiɑ̄n dɑ̀o yín hɑ́ng huɑ̀n qiɑ́n. We need to go to the bank to exchange the money first.
Notes: The use of the adverb “先” in Chinese is different from that in English. In Chinese, we will put the adverb “先” in front of the verb. In English, we will put it at the end of the sentence.

For example:

我們要先到銀行換錢。
wǒ men yɑ̀o xiɑ̄n dɑ̀o yín hɑ́ng huɑ̀n qiɑ́n.
We need to go to the bank to exchange the money first.

Notes:

The use of the adverb “先” in Chinese is different from that in English. In Chinese, we will put the adverb “先” in front of the verb. In English, we will put it at the end of the sentence.