How common it is
首先 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say shǒuxiān slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
首先表示第一步或第一件事。
shǒu xiān biǎo shì dì yī bù huò dì yī jiàn shì。
First means the first step or first thing.
Context note
首先常用于说明顺序。
shǒu xiān cháng yòng yú shuō míng shùn xù。
First is often used to explain order.
5 examples
首先，请坐下。
shǒu xiān， qǐng zuò xià。
First, please sit down.
首先我们复习。
shǒu xiān wǒ men fù xí。
First we review.
首先要准备材料。
shǒu xiān yào zhǔn bèi cái liào。
First, you need to prepare materials.
首先看题目。
shǒu xiān kàn tí mù。
First look at the question.
首先，他要道歉。
shǒu xiān， tā yào dào qiàn。
First, he needs to apologize.
5 mini stories
首先，我们先看课本。
shǒu xiān， wǒ men xiān kàn kè běn。
First, let's look at the textbook.
首先要做的是检查作业。
shǒu xiān yào zuò de shì jiǎn chá zuò yè。
The first thing to do is check the homework.
她首先介绍了自己。
tā shǒu xiān jiè shào le zì jǐ。
She first introduced herself.
首先把门关上。
shǒu xiān bǎ mén guān shàng。
First close the door.
首先，请把名字写好。
shǒu xiān， qǐng bǎ míng zì xiě hǎo。
First, please write your name clearly.