At the A1 level, you only need to know that **领先 (lǐngxiān)** means 'to be in front' or 'to lead.' Imagine you are running a race with your friends. If you are the person at the very front, you are '领先.' You might hear this word during a sports match on TV. A simple way to remember it is: '领' looks like a person leading, and '先' means 'first.' So, you are the first person leading the group. In very basic sentences, you can say '我领先' (I am leading) or '他领先' (He is leading). You don't need to worry about complex grammar yet. Just think of it as a way to say who is winning a game or a race at this moment. It is an exciting word because it means you are doing very well! Even at this level, knowing this word helps you understand simple sports scores or game results when you watch Chinese media.
At the A2 level, you can start using **领先 (lǐngxiān)** to describe more specific situations. You should know how to say by how much someone is leading. For example, '领先两分' (leading by two points) or '领先五秒' (leading by five seconds). You might also see it used in simple news about technology or school. For instance, '他的成绩领先' (His grades are leading). At this stage, it's important to realize that 领先 is usually about a competition. You are comparing one person or team to another. You can also start using it with simple time words, like '现在领先' (leading now) or '一直领先' (leading all the time). It's a great word to use when talking about your favorite sports team or when you are playing a game with friends and want to brag a little bit about your score!
As a B1 learner, you should understand that **领先 (lǐngxiān)** is used both as a verb and an adjective. You should be familiar with the common phrase '处于领先地位' (to be in a leading position), which is frequently used in business and formal contexts. You should also know the difference between '领先' and '先进.' While '先进' describes something that is high-tech or developed (like a new phone), '领先' describes being ahead of others in a field. For example, '我们的技术在世界上领先' (Our technology leads the world). You can also use '领先于' (lǐngxiān yú) to formally state who you are leading. This level requires you to use the word in more abstract ways, such as leading in market share, leading in environmental protection, or leading in scientific research. It's no longer just about running a physical race; it's about being at the forefront of development.
At the B2 level, you should be able to use **领先 (lǐngxiān)** fluently in professional and academic discussions. You should understand nuanced collocations like '保持领先优势' (to maintain a leading advantage) and '扩大领先差距' (to expand the lead gap). You will encounter this word in complex economic reports, where it refers to '领先指标' (leading indicators) that predict future economic trends. You should also be able to recognize and use the emphatic phrase '遥遥领先' (yáoyáo lǐngxiān) to describe a situation where someone is far ahead of the competition. At this level, you should be sensitive to the register of the word—knowing when to use the simple '领先' and when to use more formal structures like '居于领先水平' (to reside at a leading level). You should also be able to compare it with synonyms like '名列前茅' or '占优势' to express precise meanings in your writing and speaking.
For C1 learners, **领先 (lǐngxiān)** is a tool for sophisticated analysis. You should be able to discuss the strategic implications of being '领先' in various industries. You will see this word in high-level policy documents, scientific journals, and philosophical debates about progress. You should understand its etymological roots—the 'collar' (领) and 'first' (先)—and how this metaphor influences its usage in modern leadership contexts. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as '在...的背景下,取得了阶段性的领先' (Against the background of..., achieved a staged lead). You should also be aware of the cultural weight of the word in the context of China's 'strive for excellence' and how it is used in nationalistic or corporate branding to signal global competitiveness. Your usage should be precise, distinguishing it perfectly from '超前,' '先行,' and '优先' in all contexts.
At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of **领先 (lǐngxiān)** and its place in the Chinese linguistic landscape. You can use it with rhetorical flair, perhaps using it in classical-style constructions or modern idioms. You understand the subtle socio-political implications when a government claims '领先' in a specific sector and can critically analyze the metrics used to define that lead. You can use the word to write persuasive essays, technical white papers, or literary pieces. You are aware of the most recent linguistic trends, such as how '遥遥领先' became a cultural meme and the irony or sincerity with which it is used in online discourse. You can navigate the word's usage across all domains—from the hyper-technical language of quantum computing to the poetic descriptions of a person leading a new era of thought. Your command of the word is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker.

领先 در ۳۰ ثانیه

  • 领先 (lǐngxiān) means to be in the lead or ahead of others in a competition or field.
  • It is used in sports, business, and technology to describe a winning or advanced status.
  • Commonly paired with '地位' (position) or '优势' (advantage) to show a competitive edge.
  • It differs from '先进' (advanced) by focusing on the relative position rather than just quality.

The Chinese word 领先 (lǐngxiān) is a powerful and dynamic term used to describe the state of being in the lead, being ahead of others, or possessing an advanced status in a competitive context. At its core, it is composed of two characters: 领 (lǐng), which means to lead or guide (originally referring to the collar of a shirt that guides the rest of the garment), and 先 (xiān), which means first or ahead. Together, they create a sense of being at the forefront of a movement, a race, or a technological shift.

Competitive Context
In sports, 领先 is used to indicate that one team or athlete has more points or is physically ahead of the others. For example, if a soccer team is winning 2-1, they are in a state of '领先'.
Technological and Academic Lead
In the realms of science and business, it refers to 'leading' technology or 'advanced' research. It implies that a company or country has achieved something before its peers, setting a benchmark for others to follow.

这家公司在人工智能领域处于领先地位。

— This company holds a leading position in the field of artificial intelligence.

Understanding 领先 requires recognizing that it is almost always relative. You cannot be 'leading' in a vacuum; there must be a field of competitors or a standard that you are surpassing. This makes it a very active word, often paired with verbs like '保持' (bǎochí - to maintain) or '取得' (qǔdé - to achieve). It isn't just a static description of quality; it's a description of a race currently in progress.

我们在比赛开始十分钟后就开始领先

— We started leading ten minutes after the game began.

Whether you are talking about the stock market, a 100-meter dash, or the development of green energy, 领先 is the go-to word to describe who is winning. It carries a sense of prestige and authority. When a brand claims their technology is '领先', they are signaling to the consumer that they are the innovators, not the followers.

这种技术在国际上也是十分领先的。

— This technology is also very advanced internationally.

Using 领先 (lǐngxiān) correctly involves understanding its role as both a verb and an adjective. It frequently appears in specific grammatical structures that indicate the extent or the domain of the lead.

Structure: A 领先 B
This is the most direct way to say 'A leads B'. For example: '我们的技术领先他们五年' (Our technology leads theirs by five years).
Structure: 处于...领先地位
This formal phrase means 'to be in a leading position'. It is common in business reports and news. '处于' (chǔyú) means 'to be in'.

中国在移动支付方面领先于世界。

— China leads the world in terms of mobile payments.

Note the use of '于' (yú) in the example above. '领先于' (lǐngxiān yú) is a common formal pattern where '于' acts like 'than' or 'to' in English, indicating the object being surpassed. You will also see it used with specific numbers to show the margin of the lead, such as '领先三分' (leading by three points) or '领先两秒' (leading by two seconds).

我们要努力保持领先优势。

— We must work hard to maintain our leading edge/advantage.

Another common collocation is '领先水平' (lǐngxiān shuǐpíng), which means 'leading level'. This is often used to describe research or manufacturing standards that are among the best in the world. Phrases like '国际领先水平' (international leading level) are frequently found in academic papers and government documents to certify the quality of a project.

他在第一圈结束时处于领先

— He was in the lead at the end of the first lap.

You will encounter 领先 (lǐngxiān) in a variety of high-stakes environments. It is a word associated with success, competition, and progress. Understanding where it appears will help you grasp its formal and semi-formal nuances.

Sports Broadcasting
This is perhaps the most common place to hear the word. Commentators will constantly update the audience on who is '领先'. You'll hear phrases like '暂时领先' (temporarily leading) or '扩大领先优势' (expanding the lead).
Corporate Meetings and Product Launches
Tech giants like Huawei, Xiaomi, or Tencent often use '领先' to describe their market share or technological breakthroughs. In a keynote, a CEO might say, '我们的5G技术处于全球领先地位' (Our 5G technology is in a globally leading position).

解说员激动地喊道:“中国队现在领先了!”

— The commentator shouted excitedly, "The Chinese team is now in the lead!"

In news reports, specifically economic news, '领先' is used to talk about '领先指标' (leading indicators). These are economic statistics that tend to change before the economy as a whole does, helping experts predict future trends. Hearing this word in a financial context signals that you are dealing with forecasting and strategic positioning.

根据最新的民调,这位候选人目前领先

— According to the latest polls, this candidate is currently leading.

Finally, in academic and professional certifications, '领先' is a marker of prestige. If a laboratory is called a '领先实验室', it means it is a top-tier facility. Students are often encouraged to '领先一步' (be one step ahead) in their studies to ensure future success in the job market.

我们在环保技术方面已经取得了领先

— We have already achieved a lead in environmental protection technology.

While 领先 (lǐngxiān) is a versatile word, English speakers often trip up on its specific usage constraints compared to 'lead' or 'advanced'. Here are the most common pitfalls to avoid.

Mistake 1: Confusing 领先 with 先进 (xiānjìn)
'先进' means 'advanced' in terms of quality or development level (e.g., an advanced machine). '领先' means 'leading' in terms of position. You can have a '先进的设备' (advanced equipment), but you are '领先他人' (leading others). Don't say '我的电脑很领先' (My computer is very leading) when you mean it is high-tech; say '我的电脑很先进'.
Mistake 2: Incorrect use of '领先于'
Learners often forget that '领先于' is more formal. In casual conversation, simply saying 'A 领先 B' is sufficient. Overusing the '于' construction in a casual chat about a video game might sound unnaturally stiff.

错误:他是一个领先的人。
正确:他是一个领先者。

— You shouldn't use 领先 as a simple adjective for a person's character; use '领先者' (leader/one who leads) instead.

Another mistake is using 领先 when you actually mean 'to guide' (like a tour guide). For 'guiding' people, the word is '带领' (dàilǐng) or '引导' (yǐndǎo). '领先' is strictly about being ahead in a sequence or competition. If you say '我领先游客去博物馆', people will think you are racing the tourists to the museum, not showing them the way!

错误:我们的分数领先
正确:我们目前处于领先

— While 'our score leads' makes sense in English, in Chinese, it is the 'team' or 'we' that is in the state of 领先.

Lastly, be careful with the word '优先' (yōuxiān). '优先' means 'priority' or 'to have precedence'. For example, '老人优先' (elderly first). This is different from '领先', which is about being ahead in a competition. If you are '领先', you are winning; if you are '优先', you are being given a special right to go first.

To expand your vocabulary beyond 领先 (lǐngxiān), it is helpful to look at synonyms that carry slightly different shades of meaning. Each of these words is 'advanced' or 'leading' but used in specific scenarios.

先进 (xiānjìn) vs. 领先
As mentioned, 先进 focuses on the quality and level of development. An '先进工作者' is an advanced worker who performs well. 领先 focuses on the relative position in a race or field.
名列前茅 (míng liè qián máo)
This is an idiom (chengyu) that means 'to be among the best' or 'to rank at the top'. It is very common in academic contexts, such as '他的成绩在班里名列前茅' (His grades are among the best in the class).
超前 (chāoqián)
This word means 'ahead of its time' or 'advanced beyond the current standard'. If a design is very futuristic, you would call it '设计超前'.

他的思想非常超前,很多人现在还不能理解。

— His thinking is very ahead of its time; many people still can't understand it.

In a competition, you might also hear 占优势 (zhàn yōushì), which means 'to have the advantage'. While 领先 means you are currently ahead in points, 占优势 might mean you have a better strategy or more resources, even if the score is currently tied. Another powerful alternative is 遥遥领先 (yáoyáo lǐngxiān), which specifically describes a lead so large that the competitors are 'far away' (遥遥) and have no hope of catching up soon.

虽然我们现在领先,但对方在体力上占优势

— Although we are leading now, the opponent has an advantage in physical strength.

For formal writing, consider 居于首位 (jūyú shǒuwèi), which means 'to occupy the first place'. This is very formal and often used in statistical reports. For example, '该国的出口额居于世界首位' (The country's export volume ranks first in the world). Using these alternatives correctly will make your Chinese sound much more nuanced and professional.

مثال‌ها بر اساس سطح

1

我领先。

I am leading.

Simple Subject + Verb structure.

2

他现在领先。

He is leading now.

Adding a time adverb '现在'.

3

谁领先?

Who is leading?

Question form using '谁'.

4

红队领先。

The red team is leading.

Proper noun as subject.

5

我们领先一分。

We are leading by one point.

Number + measure word as a complement.

6

你领先吗?

Are you leading?

Simple question with '吗'.

7

老师领先我们。

The teacher is leading us.

Subject + 领先 + Object.

8

他在前面,他领先。

He is in front, he is leading.

Explaining the state of leading.

1

中国队领先三分。

The Chinese team is leading by three points.

Specific margin of lead.

2

他在比赛中一直领先。

He has been leading throughout the competition.

Using '一直' for continuous state.

3

我们的分数领先他们。

Our score is leading theirs.

Direct comparison.

4

这次考试,他领先全班。

In this exam, he led the whole class.

Leading a specific group.

5

快点跑,你就能领先了。

Run faster, and you will be in the lead.

Conditional result.

6

他们领先我们十秒钟。

They are leading us by ten seconds.

Time duration as lead margin.

7

谁在领先地位?

Who is in the leading position?

Introducing '地位' (position).

8

他在最后关头领先了。

He took the lead at the last moment.

Temporal phrase '最后关头'.

1

这家公司在技术上处于领先地位。

This company is in a leading position technologically.

Formal '处于...地位' structure.

2

我们必须保持领先优势。

We must maintain our leading advantage.

Collocation '领先优势'.

3

他的研究在国际上十分领先。

His research is very advanced internationally.

Adjectival use with '十分'.

4

该产品领先于同类其他产品。

This product leads other products of the same kind.

Formal use of '领先于'.

5

在环保方面,这个城市领先全国。

In terms of environmental protection, this city leads the country.

Domain specification '在...方面'.

6

他们通过创新取得了领先。

They achieved a lead through innovation.

Method '通过...' + result.

7

他领先第二名很多。

He is leading the second place by a lot.

Comparative '很多'.

8

保持领先并不是一件容易的事。

Maintaining the lead is not an easy thing.

Gerund-like subject phrase.

1

由于技术革新,该企业遥遥领先于竞争对手。

Due to technological innovation, this enterprise is far ahead of its competitors.

Use of the idiom '遥遥领先'.

2

这些数据是经济发展的领先指标。

These data are leading indicators of economic development.

Technical term '领先指标'.

3

他在半程马拉松中一直保持领先。

He maintained the lead throughout the half-marathon.

Verb phrase '保持领先'.

4

该项目的成功使我们在行业内处于领先。

The success of this project put us in the lead within the industry.

Causative structure '使...'.

5

我们要缩小与领先者的差距。

We need to narrow the gap with the leader.

Noun '领先者' (leader).

6

这种设计思路在当时是非常领先的。

This design concept was very advanced at that time.

Adjectival use with temporal context.

7

他在科研领域的成就领先于时代。

His achievements in scientific research were ahead of his time.

Abstract lead '领先于时代'.

8

公司决定投入更多资金以确保技术领先。

The company decided to invest more funds to ensure technological leadership.

Purpose clause '以确保...'.

1

该国的半导体技术已达到世界领先水平。

The country's semiconductor technology has reached a world-leading level.

Formal phrase '达到...水平'.

2

在激烈的市场竞争中,唯有不断创新才能保持领先。

In fierce market competition, only continuous innovation can maintain a lead.

Conditional '唯有...才能...'.

3

他凭借卓越的远见,在行业变革中抢占了领先先机。

With his outstanding foresight, he seized the leading opportunity in the industry transformation.

Complex noun phrase '领先先机'.

4

该学说在哲学界引发了广泛讨论,其观点十分领先。

This theory sparked widespread discussion in the philosophical community; its views are very advanced.

Abstract application to ideas.

5

虽然目前处于领先,但决不能掉以轻心。

Although we are currently leading, we must never let our guard down.

Concessive clause '虽然...但...'.

6

这种领先优势是建立在多年研发基础之上的。

This leading advantage is built on years of research and development.

Passive/Foundational structure '建立在...之上'.

7

他以领先第二名三圈的绝对优势夺冠。

He won the championship with an absolute advantage of leading the second place by three laps.

Quantified lead '三圈'.

8

政策的引导使得该地区在绿色能源领域率先领先。

Policy guidance has allowed the region to take an early lead in the green energy sector.

Focus on early lead '率先领先'.

1

在全球化背景下,核心技术的领先关乎国家的战略安全。

In the context of globalization, leadership in core technologies is related to national strategic security.

High-level political/strategic context.

2

该企业试图通过垄断来维持其在市场上的领先地位,引发了反垄断调查。

The enterprise attempted to maintain its leading market position through monopoly, triggering an anti-monopoly investigation.

Complex legal/economic narrative.

3

这种领先并非偶然,而是深厚文化底蕴与现代科技结合的产物。

This lead is not accidental, but a product of the combination of profound cultural heritage and modern technology.

Rhetorical '并非...而是...'.

4

他在文学创作上的领先意识,使其作品具有跨时代的魅力。

His leading consciousness in literary creation gives his works a cross-era charm.

Metaphorical '领先意识'.

5

领先者往往面临着后来者的围追堵截。

Leaders often face the pursuit and blocking of latecomers.

Abstract noun '领先者' in a competitive metaphor.

6

要在这一前沿领域保持领先,必须具备全球视野。

To maintain a lead in this frontier field, one must possess a global perspective.

Infinitive-like purpose '要在...必须...'.

7

该品牌的成功在于其产品理念始终领先于消费者的需求。

The brand's success lies in its product philosophy always staying ahead of consumer demand.

Relative lead against 'demand'.

8

这种领先态势如果能持续下去,将彻底改变行业格局。

If this leading trend can continue, it will completely change the industry landscape.

Hypothetical '如果...将...'.

ترکیب‌های رایج

领先地位
领先优势
领先水平
领先指标
领先技术
领先于人
暂时领先
绝对领先
遥遥领先
领先分数

عبارات رایج

一马当先

— To take the lead; to be in the forefront.

他在比赛中一马当先。

率先

— To lead the way; to be the first to do something.

他率先完成了任务。

步步领先

— To be ahead at every step.

我们要做到步步领先。

技术领先

— Leading in technology.

这家公司的技术领先行业。

世界领先

— World-leading.

达到世界领先水平。

领先者

— The leader; the one in the lead.

他是行业的领先者。

保持领先

— To keep the lead.

我们要努力保持领先。

领先差距

— The gap of the lead.

缩小领先差距。

领先跑

— To run in the lead.

他一直在领先跑。

领先地位不保

— Leading position is at risk.

如果不努力,领先地位不保。

اصطلاحات و عبارات

"遥遥领先"

— To be far ahead; to have a huge lead.

这款手机的销量在市场上遥遥领先。

Common/Marketing
"名列前茅"

— To be among the best; to rank at the top.

他的成绩在学校名列前茅。

Academic
"一马当先"

— To take the lead; to be the first to charge.

在抢险救灾中,他一马当先。

Literary
"后来居上"

— The latecomer surpasses the old-timer.

虽然他起步晚,但现在已经后来居上了。

Neutral
"争先恐后"

— Striving to be first and fearing to be last.

大家争先恐后地报名参

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