先 xiān means “first” or “before,” indicating the action that happens first. 再 zài means “then” or “next,” indicating the action that follows!
1 Structure
(S) 先 VO，(S) 再 VO
Remember to place the subject before 再 zài. When the two subjects are the same, you can drop the second one.
先洗手，再吃飯。先洗手，再吃饭。
Wash your hands first, then eat.
先脫鞋，再進來。先脱鞋，再进来。
Take off your shoes first, then come in.
客人先付錢，再吃飯。客人先付钱，再吃饭。
The guests should pay first, then eat.
你應該先學一點中文，再來台灣旅遊。你应该先学点儿汉语，再来台湾旅游。
You should learn some Chinese first before coming to travel in Taiwan.
我晚上先回家吃飯，再去電影院見你。我晚上先回家吃饭，再去电影院见你。
I’ll go home and have dinner first in the evening, then go to the cinema to meet you.
老師先說一次，學生再說一次。老师先说一次，学生再说一次。
The teacher says it first, then the students say it again.
爸爸先給哥哥10塊錢，哥哥再給弟弟1塊錢。爸爸先给哥哥10块钱，哥哥再给弟弟1块钱。
Dad gives 10 yuan to the older brother first, then the older brother gives 1 yuan to the younger brother.
他們是先上車再補票。他们是先上车再补票。
They board the vehicle first and then purchase the ticket. OR They had a shotgun wedding.
💬 FYI — 先上車後補票先上车后补票
Instead of saying 先上車再補票先上车再补票 xiān shàngchē zài bǔpiào, Chinese actually has the common idiom 先上車後補票先上车后补票 xiān shàngchē hòu bǔpiào. Metaphorically, it describes a couple getting pregnant or having a child before getting married, then getting married afterwards!
2 Other ways to express sequence
1st, 2nd, 3rd
第一、第二、第三第一、第二、第三
First of all
Next
接下來、再來、接著接下来、再来、接着
And then
然後、再然后、再
Finally
我們明天早上先去買禮物，然後去奶奶家一起吃飯，接著和奶奶去公園散步，再去超市買菜，最後回家。我们明天早上先去买礼物，然后去奶奶家一起吃饭，接着和奶奶去公园散步，再去超市买菜，最后回家。
We’ll first go buy gifts tomorrow morning, then go to grandma’s house to have a meal together. Next, we go for a walk in the park with grandma, then go to the supermarket to buy groceries, and finally go back home.
台灣有三個有名的食物。第一是珍珠奶茶。第二是牛肉麵。第三是臭豆腐。台湾有三个有名的食物。第一是珍珠奶茶。第二是牛肉面。第三是臭豆腐。
In Taiwan, there are three famous foods. The first one is bubble milk tea. The second one is beef noodles. The third one is stinky tofu.
3 Practice
Translate each sentence into Chinese, then tap the card to check your answer.
01I eat first, you eat later.
我先吃，你再吃。我先吃，你再吃。
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02My sister wants to watch TV before she does her homework.
妹妹想先看電視再寫功課。妹妹想先看电视再写功课。
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03You say Chinese is easy 10 times first, then I will teach you Chinese.
你先說十次中文很簡單，我再教你中文。你先说十次中文很简单，我再教你中文。
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04Wash your hands first, then eat.
先洗手，再吃飯。先洗手，再吃饭。
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05Take off your shoes first, then come in.
先脫鞋，再進來。先脱鞋，再进来。
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06Let’s take a rest first, then do homework.
我們先休息，再寫作業。我们先休息，再写作业。
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07I will go to the supermarket first, then go home.
我先去超市，再回家。我先去超市，再回家。
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08First buy coffee, then go to class.
先買咖啡，再去上課。先买咖啡，再去上课。
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09Let’s watch a movie first, then go eat dinner.
我們先看電影，再去吃晚飯。我们先看电影，再去吃晚饭。
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10You should take a shower first, then sleep.
你應該先洗澡，再睡覺。你应该先洗澡，再睡觉。
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