Hanzi sentence loop
先 - xiān
first, former, previous. Learn the character inside a sentence before pretending one square is a lesson.
“”。 先主 is a common expression.
先 in a real sentence
“”。 先主 is a common expression.Read 先 inside a short line first. Isolated character memorization is where motivation goes to nap.
Reading supports
Use these after the first listen. Pinyin is scaffolding; English is context; neither should become a sofa.
How to read 先
Click 先 to hear Mandarin pronunciation. Use the example words before memorizing it in isolation.
| Hanzi | 先 |
|---|---|
| Traditional | 先 |
| Pinyin | xiān |
| English | first, former, previous |
| Radical hint | 儿 |
Short sentences you can say today
Sentence reps
Practice 先 in sentences
Do not memorize 先 as a lonely square. Hear a short sentence, log it, then recall the meaning.
Common words with this character
former ruler; founding ruler
ancestor; forefather; sb's late father
shilling
precedent
Mistake warning
Do not memorize 先 only as an isolated symbol. Read it inside words like 先主 and 先人 first, then come back to the single-character pronunciation.