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先 … ，再 … (first …, then …)
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Instructions for a guest
- A friend is staying with you and asks how to use the washing machine.
- you你first先to put放clothes衣服，then再to press按this这个push button按钮。 — "First put the clothes in, then press this button."
first先 + Verb 1，then再 + Verb 2
- first先 … then再 … = "first …, then …" for plans, suggestions and instructions.
- Both words are adverbs, so each goes before its verb, after the subject.
we我们first先eat吃饭，then再watch看a film电影吧。
Complete the plan: “Let's buy tickets first, then go in.” 我们先买票，____进去。
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先 … 再 … orders future steps.
Suggesting an order
- you你first先rest休息a bit一下，then再do做homework作业。 — "Rest a bit first, then do your homework."
- With then / after然后 between them for a longer list: first先to wash one's hands洗手，then / after然后to prepare a meal做饭，then再eat吃饭。
you你first先rest休息a bit一下，then再do做homework作业。
Build: “Rest a bit first, then do your homework.”
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先 + verb 1, 再 + verb 2.
Future plans, not past events
- then再 is for steps still to come. For what already happened, use first先 … then / after然后 / again又 …: I / me我first先吃了饭，then / after然后to go去watch看a film电影(completed / change)了.
- Put first先 after the subject: I / me我first先to walk走, not first先I / me我to walk走.
Which describes what you did yesterday?
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For past events use 先 … 然后 … with 了; 再 is for steps still to come.
先我走 is the normal way to say “I'll go first.”
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先 goes after the subject: 我先走.
first先…then再… versus first先…then / after然后…
- then / after然后 is a conjunction and can start the second clause on its own: first先to buy tickets买票，then / after然后to go in进去。
- first先…then再… stresses that the second step must wait for the first: you你first先think想it through好，then再answer回答。
you你first先think想it through好，then再answer回答。
Recap
- first先 A，then再 B = first A, then B, for plans and instructions.
- For past sequences, use first先 … then / after然后 / again又 … with (completed / change)了.
Read the full reference: HSK 3 grammar — Adverbs.
A friend is staying with you and asks how to use the washing machine. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.