Usage note
领先表示在前面或比别人好。
lǐng xiān biǎo shì zài qián miàn huò bǐ bié rén hǎo。
领先 means to be ahead or better than others.
Context note
领先常用于比赛、发展和比较。
lǐng xiān cháng yòng yú bǐ sài 、 fā zhǎn hé bǐ jiào。
It is often used with competition, development, and comparison.
5 examples
他们领先了。
tā men lǐng xiān le。
They are ahead.
这个队暂时领先。
zhè ge duì zàn shí lǐng xiān。
This team is temporarily ahead.
他在学习上领先。
tā zài xué xí shàng lǐng xiān。
He is ahead in study.
领先很重要。
lǐng xiān hěn zhòng yào。
Being ahead is important.
这家公司一直领先。
zhè jiā gōng sī yì zhí lǐng xiān。
This company has been leading all along.
5 mini stories
比赛中，他们一直领先。
bǐ sài zhōng， tā men yì zhí lǐng xiān。
They stayed ahead in the game.
老师说，领先不代表结束。
lǎo shī shuō， lǐng xiān bú dài biǎo jié shù。
The teacher said being ahead does not mean it's over.
他在课堂上总是领先一步。
tā zài kè táng shàng zǒng shì lǐng xiān yí bù。
He is always one step ahead in class.
这项技术让他们领先。
zhè xiàng jì shù ràng tā men lǐng xiān。
This technology put them ahead.
领先后更要认真。
lǐng xiān hòu gèng yào rèn zhēn。
After taking the lead, you must be more serious.
Mini dialogue
跑步领先
A
谁在跑步比赛中领先？
Shéi zài pǎobù bǐsài zhōng lǐngxiān?
Who is leading in the running race?
B
小明领先，他跑得最快。
Xiǎo Míng lǐngxiān, tā pǎo de zuì kuài.
Xiao Ming is leading, he runs the fastest.
学习领先
A
她的成绩一直领先。
Tā de chéngjì yìzhí lǐngxiān.
Her grades have always been leading.
B
因为她很努力，所以能领先。
Yīnwèi tā hěn nǔlì, suǒyǐ néng lǐngxiān.
Because she works hard, she can lead.
Related words and contrasts
opposite
落后
luò hòu
fall behind
opposite of leading
similar
带头
dài tóu
take the lead
similar to leading, often used for initiating action