Sequencing Actions: First... Then... (xiān... ránhòu...)
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use {先|xiān} (first) and {然后|ránhòu} (then) to clearly order your actions in a sentence.
- Place {先|xiān} before the first verb: {我先洗澡|wǒ xiān xǐzǎo} (I first shower).
- Place {然后|ránhòu} before the second action: {然后睡觉|ránhòu shuìjiào} (then sleep).
- Combine them: {我先洗澡，然后睡觉|wǒ xiān xǐzǎo, ránhòu shuìjiào}.
Overview
先...然后... (xiān...ránhòu...) is a fundamental Chinese grammar pattern used to express a sequence of actions: "first... then...". Mastery of this structure is critical for clear, logical communication, enabling you to describe processes, routines, instructions, and narratives effectively.
Unlike languages where chronological order can sometimes be implied or rearranged, Chinese often adheres strictly to the order of events as they occur in reality. This pattern provides the linguistic framework to convey that precise order, making your speech and writing more coherent and natural. It reflects a core principle of Chinese discourse, where linearity in time is frequently mirrored by linearity in sentence structure.
This pattern is a cornerstone for B1 learners because it underpins countless daily interactions, from giving directions or recounting past events to planning future activities. Without a solid grasp of 先...然后..., your ability to articulate multi-step processes or narratives will remain limited, hindering your progression towards more fluid and authentic expression. Understanding its nuances and proper application moves you beyond simply listing actions to genuinely connecting them in a logical and easily understandable flow.
How This Grammar Works
先...然后... pattern operates on the principle of chronological linearity, a pervasive feature in Chinese grammar. This means that events are typically presented in the order in which they happen. The particle 先 (xiān), meaning "first" or "before," introduces the initial action or state.先 usually precedes the verb or verb phrase it modifies, emphasizing that this is the action to be completed prior to any subsequent steps.然后 (ránhòu), meaning "then," "after that," or "subsequently," introduces the next action in the sequence. 然后 serves as a connector, linking the initial event to its immediate successor. While 然后 directly translates to "after that," its role within this pattern is to signal a direct, sequential progression, often implying a causal or logical link between the two events.我先吃饭，然后去学习。 (Wǒ xiān chīfàn, ránhòu qù xuéxí. – I'll first eat, then go study.) Here, eating is explicitly presented as preceding studying.先...然后... provides a clear, unambiguous way to express this sequential relationship, making it a highly efficient and common pattern. The temporal markers are integral to establishing the relationship between the two clauses, leaving little room for misinterpretation regarding the order of events.Formation Pattern
先...然后... pattern adheres to a consistent and predictable structure, making it straightforward to apply once its components are understood. The basic formula establishes the temporal order of two distinct actions.
我 | wǒ | I |
先 particle | 先 | xiān | first |
做作业 | zuò zuòyè | do homework |
, | | |
然后 particle | 然后 | ránhòu | then |
休息 | xiūxi | rest |
Subject + 先 + Verb/Verb Phrase 1 (+ Object 1), 然后 + (Subject) + Verb/Verb Phrase 2 (+ Object 2)
先 directly before the first verb or verb phrase, and 然后 directly before the second verb or verb phrase. The comma (,) serves to delineate the two clauses, providing a natural pause in both written and spoken Chinese.
我先写作业，然后看电视。 (Wǒ xiān xiě zuòyè, ránhòu kàn diànshì.) – I'll first do homework, then watch TV.
请你先关门，然后开窗。 (Qǐng nǐ xiān guānmén, ránhòu kāichuāng.) – Please first close the door, then open the window.
他们先去商店，然后回家。 (Tāmen xiān qù shāngdiàn, ránhòu huíjiā.) – They will first go to the store, then go home.
然后 clause. This avoids redundancy and makes the sentence more concise.
她先打电话，然后发邮件。 (Tā xiān dǎ diànhuà, ránhòu fā yóujiàn.) – She will first make a call, then send an email. (Implies 她 also sends the email)
我们先吃饭，然后散步。 (Wǒmen xiān chīfàn, ránhòu sànbù.) – We will first eat, then take a walk. (Implies 我们 also take a walk)
你先说，然后我再说。 (Nǐ xiān shuō, ránhòu wǒ zài shuō.) – You speak first, then I'll speak. (Here, 我 is explicitly stated as the new speaker.)
妈妈先做饭，然后爸爸洗碗。 (Māmā xiān zuòfàn, ránhòu bàba xǐwǎn.) – Mom first cooks, then Dad washes dishes.
先:
先 typically precedes the verb, in some cases, especially with personal pronouns as subjects, it can appear after the subject. Both Subject + 先 + Verb and 先 + Subject + Verb are grammatically correct, though Subject + 先 + Verb is more standard. The 先 particle generally signals the precedence of the action, not just its "firstness."
我先回家。 (Wǒ xiān huíjiā.) – I will go home first. (Standard)
先我回家。 (Xiān wǒ huíjiā.) – First I go home. (Less common, but possible for emphasis)
然后 can occasionally be omitted in very casual speech, but for learners, it is highly recommended to always include 然后 to maintain clarity and avoid ambiguity. This pattern is foundational, and adhering to the explicit structure aids in building strong grammatical habits.
When To Use It
先...然后... pattern is remarkably versatile and indispensable for expressing sequential actions across a wide range of contexts in Chinese. Its utility extends from simple daily routines to more complex instructions and narratives. Recognizing these common scenarios will greatly enhance your ability to integrate this structure naturally into your communication.我早上先起床，然后刷牙。(Wǒ zǎoshang xiān qǐchuáng, ránhòu shuāyá.) – In the morning, I first get up, then brush my teeth.他下班后先去健身房，然后回家吃饭。(Tā xiàbān hòu xiān qù jiànshēnfáng, ránhòu huíjiā chīfàn.) – After work, he first goes to the gym, then goes home to eat.
先...然后... provides the ideal framework for a clear, ordered sequence of commands.你先直走，然后左转。(Nǐ xiān zhízǒu, ránhòu zuǒzhuǎn.) – You first go straight, then turn left.请先打开电脑，然后输入密码。(Qǐng xiān dǎkāi diànnǎo, ránhòu shūrù mìmǎ.) – Please first turn on the computer, then enter the password.
我们先看电影，然后去喝咖啡。(Wǒmen xiān kàn diànyǐng, ránhòu qù hē kāfēi.) – We'll first watch a movie, then go for coffee.周末我先打扫房间，然后休息。(Zhōumò wǒ xiān dǎsǎo fángjiān, ránhòu xiūxi.) – This weekend I'll first clean the room, then rest.
先...然后....昨天我先去图书馆，然后见了朋友。(Zuótiān wǒ xiān qù túshūguǎn, ránhòu jiànle péngyou.) – Yesterday I first went to the library, then met a friend.他先毕业，然后找到了工作。(Tā xiān bìyè, ránhòu zhǎodào le gōngzuò.) – He first graduated, then found a job.
再 (zài) often explicitly marks conditionality, 先...然后... can also implicitly convey that the second action depends on the completion of the first.你先完成这份报告，然后我们才能离开。(Nǐ xiān wánchéng zhè fèn bàogào, ránhòu wǒmen cáinéng líkāi.) – You first finish this report, then we can leave. (The leaving is contingent on the report's completion.)
好的，我先吃饭，一会儿联系你。(Hǎo de, wǒ xiān chīfàn, yīhuǐr liánxì nǐ.) – Okay, I'll first eat, then contact you in a bit.先开会，然后讨论。(Xiān kāihuì, ránhòu tǎolùn.) – First have the meeting, then discuss.
先...然后... across these scenarios highlights its fundamental role in structuring discourse in Chinese. It not only conveys temporal sequence but also contributes significantly to the logical flow and coherence of your communication, aligning with how native speakers naturally articulate sequential events. Mastering its usage will immediately make your Chinese sound more organized and authentic.Common Mistakes
先...然后.... Recognizing and understanding the reasons behind these common mistakes is key to achieving fluency and avoiding unnatural-sounding Chinese.先:先 after the verb or verb phrase, often influenced by English structures like "I'll eat first." In Chinese, 先 is an adverb that modifies the verb, and it almost invariably precedes the verb it modifies. Adverbs in Chinese typically come before the verb or verb phrase they modify.- Incorrect:
我吃饭先，然后去学校。(Wǒ chīfàn xiān, ránhòu qù xuéxiào.) - Correct:
我先吃饭，然后去学校。(Wǒ xiān chīfàn, ránhòu qù xuéxiào.) – I'll first eat, then go to school. - Rule: Always position
先directly before the verb or verb phrase it modifies:Subject + 先 + Verb/Action.
然后 with 再 (zài):然后 and 再 can translate to "then" or "after that," leading to significant confusion. While often interchangeable in simple chronological contexts, a crucial distinction lies in their implications. 然后 primarily indicates a simple, unconditioned chronological sequence, merely stating that one action follows another. 再, however, often implies a conditional, repetitive, or delayed future action. It suggests that the second action will happen only after the first is completed, or that it represents a next step in a deliberate plan.我先洗澡，然后睡觉。(Wǒ xiān xǐzǎo, ránhòu shuìjiào.) – I'll first shower, then sleep. (Simple sequence of events.)你先完成作业，再玩游戏。(Nǐ xiān wánchéng zuòyè, zài wán yóuxì.) – You first finish homework, then (and only then, as a condition) play games.我们先休息一下，再出发。(Wǒmen xiān xiūxi yīxià, zài chūfā.) – We'll first rest a bit, then (as the next planned step) set off.
- Key Distinction: Use
然后for general "A happens, then B happens" sequences. Use再when the second action is contingent upon the first, is a planned subsequent step, or implies a future repeat.
然后 is grammatically correct but often sounds redundant and less natural in conversational Chinese. Chinese prefers conciseness where meaning is clear.- Less Natural:
我先看书，然后我听音乐。(Wǒ xiān kànshū, ránhòu wǒ tīng yīnyuè.) - More Natural:
我先看书，然后听音乐。(Wǒ xiān kànshū, ránhòu tīng yīnyuè.) – I'll first read, then listen to music. - Rule: Omit the subject in the
然后clause if it is the same as the first. Crucially, if the subject changes, always reintroduce the new subject.
,) between the 先 clause and the 然后 clause is essential for clarity and readability. It provides a visual and cognitive pause, separating the two distinct actions. Omitting it can make sentences appear as run-ons.- Incorrect:
他先买菜然后回家做饭。(Tā xiān mǎicài ránhòu huíjiā zuòfàn.) - Correct:
他先买菜，然后回家做饭。(Tā xiān mǎicài, ránhòu huíjiā zuòfàn.) – He first buys groceries, then goes home to cook.
先...然后...然后... in long narratives can become monotonous. For more complex or extended storytelling, especially at higher levels, consider varying your sentence structure or using other temporal connectors like 接着 (jiēzhe – immediately following) or 后来 (hòulái – afterwards, later on, often implying a longer time gap or change of context). However, for B1 learners, mastering 先...然后... as the primary sequencing tool remains the immediate priority.Real Conversations
Understanding 先...然后... in context reveals its omnipresence in daily Chinese communication. From planning social events to giving directions, this pattern structures interactions concisely and logically.
1. Planning a Casual Outing (WeChat exchange):
- A: 我们今天晚上先吃火锅，然后去KTV怎么样？ (Wǒmen jīntiān wǎnshang xiān chī huǒguō, ránhòu qù KTV zěnmeyàng?) – How about we first eat hotpot tonight, then go to KTV?
- B: 好啊！吃完火锅先消化一下，然后唱歌正好。 (Hǎo a! Chī wán huǒguō xiān xiāohuà yīxià, ránhòu chànggē zhènghǎo.) – Great! After eating hotpot, first digest a bit, then singing will be just right.
- Observation: The second speaker uses 先消化一下 to specify an intermediate step before the next main activity, showing flexibility within the pattern.
2. Giving Directions to a Friend:
- 你从地铁站出来，先过马路，然后沿着这条街一直走。 (Nǐ cóng dìtiězhàn chūlái, xiān guò mǎlù, ránhòu yánzhe zhè tiáo jiē yīzhí zǒu.) – You come out of the subway station, first cross the road, then walk straight along this street.
- Observation: The subject (你) is omitted in the second clause, a common practice when the agent of both actions is clearly the same, promoting conciseness.
3. Describing a Work Process:
- 我需要先完成这份报告，然后才能去开会。 (Wǒ xūyào xiān wánchéng zhè fèn bàogào, ránhòu cáinéng qù kāihuì.) – I need to first finish this report, then I can go to the meeting.
- Observation: The addition of 才能 (cáinéng – only then can) after 然后 highlights a crucial condition: the meeting attendance is entirely contingent upon the report's completion. This showcases a more nuanced application of the sequence.
4. Recounting a Past Experience:
- 我们那天先去了故宫，然后在王府井逛了逛。 (Wǒmen nà tiān xiān qù le Gùgōng, ránhòu zài Wángfǔjǐng guàngle guàng.) – That day we first went to the Forbidden City, then strolled around Wangfujing.
- Observation: The pattern effectively sequences past events, demonstrating its applicability across different temporal contexts without altering the core meaning of chronological order.
These authentic applications demonstrate that 先...然后... is an indispensable tool for structuring clear, logical, and natural-sounding Chinese communication.
Quick FAQ
然后 be used without 先?Yes. If the context of the initial action is already clear from previous sentences or shared understanding, 然后 can introduce a subsequent action independently. For example, if someone asks "What did you do after work?" you could simply reply, 然后我回家做饭了。 (Ránhòu wǒ huíjiā zuòfàn le. – Then I went home to cook.) However, when explicitly outlining a multi-step process, using both 先 and 然后 provides maximal clarity.
先 be used without 然后?Absolutely. When the emphasis is solely on the first action or the idea of doing something first before anything else, 先 can be used alone. For example, 我先走。 (Wǒ xiān zǒu. – I'll go first.) or 你先看。 (Nǐ xiān kàn. – You look first.) The subsequent action might be implied or simply not relevant to the current statement.
The 先...然后... pattern expresses sequence, not tense. It functions equally well for actions in the past, present, or future. The temporal reference is usually established by other time words (e.g., 昨天 zuótiān - yesterday, 明天 míngtiān - tomorrow) or is clear from context.
先...然后... differ from 首先...其次... (shǒuxiān...qícì...)?首先...其次... means "firstly...secondly..." and is used for enumeration or presenting a formal list of points, reasons, or steps in a more structured, often written, context like essays or presentations. 先...然后... is for sequencing actions chronologically, typically in narrative or instructional contexts, and is more common in everyday conversation. While both imply order, their formality and scope of application differ significantly. 先...然后... describes a flow of events, whereas 首先...其次... structures an argument or a list.
You can indeed link multiple actions: 先 A，然后 B，然后 C... However, continuous repetition of 然后 can become monotonous in longer sequences. For a more natural flow, you might vary the connectors or, for the final step, use 最后 (zuìhòu – finally, last) or 最终 (zuìzhōng – ultimately). For example: 我先去图书馆，然后买咖啡，最后回家。 (Wǒ xiān qù túshūguǎn, ránhòu mǎi kāfēi, zuìhòu huíjiā. – I'll first go to the library, then buy coffee, and finally go home.)
先 or 然后?Both terms have ancient roots. 先 has consistently meant "first" or "earlier" in classical Chinese, often used to indicate precedence in time or rank. 然后 literally combines 然 (rán – thus, so, to be so) and 后 (hòu – after), and its meaning of "after that" or "subsequently" has been stable since classical periods, reflecting a consistent logical and temporal connector across Chinese linguistic history. Their endurance highlights the fundamental human need to sequence events, a principle that Chinese grammar has always explicitly accommodated.
Basic Sequencing Structure
| Step | Marker | Action | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1st
|
先
|
Verb
|
我先走
|
|
2nd
|
然后
|
Verb
|
然后回家
|
Common Variations
| Type | Marker | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
Future
|
先...再...
|
Used for planned future
|
|
Final
|
最后
|
Used for the last step
|
Meanings
These markers establish a chronological order of events within a single sentence or across consecutive sentences.
Chronological Sequencing
Indicating the order of two or more distinct actions.
“{先做作业，然后玩游戏|xiān zuò zuòyè, ránhòu wán yóuxì}”
“{他先买票，然后进站|tā xiān mǎi piào, ránhòu jìn zhàn}”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + 先 + V1 + 然后 + V2
|
我先洗澡，然后睡觉
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + 先 + 不 + V1 + 然后 + V2
|
我先不吃饭，然后工作
|
|
Question
|
Subj + 先 + V1 + 然后 + V2 + 吗?
|
你先洗澡，然后睡觉吗?
|
|
Sequence
|
先 + V1 + 然后 + V2 + 最后 + V3
|
先洗菜，然后切菜，最后炒菜
|
Formality Spectrum
我先沐浴，然后就寝。 (Daily routine)
我先洗澡，然后睡觉。 (Daily routine)
我先洗个澡，然后睡觉。 (Daily routine)
先洗澡，然后睡。 (Daily routine)
Sequence Flow
Start
- 先 First
Middle
- 然后 Then
End
- 最后 Finally
Examples by Level
{先喝水，然后吃饭|xiān hēshuǐ, ránhòu chīfàn}
First drink water, then eat.
{我先看书，然后睡觉|wǒ xiān kànshū, ránhòu shuìjiào}
I first read, then sleep.
{先去学校，然后回家|xiān qù xuéxiào, ránhòu huíjiā}
First go to school, then go home.
{先买票，然后进站|xiān mǎi piào, ránhòu jìn zhàn}
First buy ticket, then enter station.
{你先洗手，然后吃饭|nǐ xiān xǐshǒu, ránhòu chīfàn}
You first wash hands, then eat.
{我们先讨论，然后决定|wǒmen xiān tǎolùn, ránhòu juédìng}
We first discuss, then decide.
{他先做饭，然后洗碗|tā xiān zuòfàn, ránhòu xǐwǎn}
He first cooks, then washes dishes.
{先休息一下，然后继续工作|xiān xiūxi yīxià, ránhòu jìxù gōngzuò}
First rest a bit, then continue working.
{先完成任务，然后才能休息|xiān wánchéng rènwù, ránhòu cáinéng xiūxi}
First finish the task, then you can rest.
{先了解情况，然后做出判断|xiān liǎojiě qíngkuàng, ránhòu zuòchū pànduàn}
First understand the situation, then make a judgment.
{先去银行取钱，然后去买东西|xiān qù yínháng qǔqián, ránhòu qù mǎi dōngxi}
First go to the bank to withdraw money, then go shopping.
{先别着急，然后听我说|xiān bié zhāojí, ránhòu tīng wǒ shuō}
Don't worry first, then listen to me.
{先制定计划，然后按部就班地执行|xiān zhìdìng jìhuà, ránhòu ànbùjiùbān de zhíxíng}
First make a plan, then execute it step-by-step.
{先分析数据，然后撰写报告|xiān fēnxī shùjù, ránhòu zhuànxiě bàogào}
First analyze the data, then write the report.
{先确认订单，然后安排发货|xiān quèrèn dìngdān, ránhòu ānpái fāhuò}
First confirm the order, then arrange shipping.
{先解决核心问题，然后处理细节|xiān jiějué héxīn wèntí, ránhòu chǔlǐ xìjié}
First solve the core problem, then handle the details.
{先审视自我，然后审视世界|xiān shěnshì zìwǒ, ránhòu shěnshì shìjiè}
First examine yourself, then examine the world.
{先确立目标，然后持之以恒地努力|xiān quèlì mùbiāo, ránhòu chízhīyǐhéng de nǔlì}
First establish goals, then work persistently.
{先进行预处理，然后进行深度学习|xiān jìnxíng yùchǔlǐ, ránhòu jìnxíng shēndù xuéxuéxí}
First perform preprocessing, then perform deep learning.
{先达成共识，然后签署协议|xiān dáchéng gòngshí, ránhòu qiānshǔ xiéyì}
First reach a consensus, then sign the agreement.
{先见森林，然后见树木|xiān jiàn sēnlín, ránhòu jiàn shùmù}
First see the forest, then see the trees.
{先破后立，然后重塑格局|xiān pò hòu lì, ránhòu chóngsù géjú}
First break then build, then reshape the structure.
{先审时度势，然后采取行动|xiān shěnshídùshì, ránhòu cǎiqǔ xíngdòng}
First assess the situation, then take action.
{先积跬步，然后至千里|xiān jī kuǐbù, ránhòu zhì qiānlǐ}
First accumulate small steps, then reach a thousand miles.
Easily Confused
Both mean 'first', but one is for actions and one is for lists.
Both mean 'then', but '再' implies a future intention.
Both mean 'then', but '接着' implies immediate succession.
Common Mistakes
我喝先咖啡
我先喝咖啡
然后我吃饭
我先吃饭，然后...
先我吃饭
我先吃饭
先吃饭，然后我睡觉
我先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后去睡觉
先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后我再吃饭
先吃饭，然后休息
先吃饭，然后他睡觉
我先吃饭，然后他睡觉
首先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，再然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后我睡觉了
先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后才睡觉
先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，随后然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后睡觉
先吃饭，然后去睡觉的
先吃饭，然后睡觉
Sentence Patterns
我先___，然后___。
先___，然后___，最后___。
如果你想___，先___，然后___。
先别___，然后___。
Real World Usage
先吃饭，然后找你。
先切菜，然后炒。
我先在A工作，然后去了B。
先买票，然后进站。
先拍照，然后发朋友圈。
先下单，然后等送餐。
Consistency
Don't over-use
Pacing
Politeness
Smart Tips
Use '先' and '然后' to group your day into logical chunks.
Always use '先' for the first step to avoid confusion.
Use '先' for the most important step.
Use '首先' for your points, not '先'.
Pronunciation
Tones
Ensure {先|xiān} is first tone and {然后|ránhòu} is second/fourth.
Rising-Falling
先(↗) ... 然后(↘)
Indicates a pause between actions.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Xiān' as 'See-an' (See an action first) and 'Ránhòu' as 'Run-how' (How to run to the next step).
Visual Association
Imagine a staircase. The first step is labeled '先' and the second step is labeled '然后'. You must step on '先' before you can reach '然后'.
Rhyme
先 is first, then we go, 然后 follows, nice and slow.
Story
Xiao Ming is hungry. He says, 'I will first (先) cook, then (然后) eat.' He follows this rule perfectly and enjoys his meal.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences about your morning routine using '先' and '然后' in the next 5 minutes.
Cultural Notes
Used constantly in daily life for everything from cooking to work.
Similar usage, often slightly more polite.
Often mixed with English particles.
These are ancient Chinese markers that evolved from simple temporal adverbs.
Conversation Starters
你今天先做什么？
怎么做这道菜？
你通常怎么开始工作？
描述一下你的职业规划。
Journal Prompts
Common Mistakes
Test Yourself
我___洗澡，___睡觉。
Find and fix the mistake:
我喝先咖啡，然后工作。
Which is correct?
Arrange the words in the correct order:
All words placed
Click words above to build the sentence
First read, then write.
Answer starts with: 先读，...
A: 你明天做什么？ B: 我___去超市，___回家。
Use: 先, 然后, 学习, 休息
Which is for the first step?
Score: /8
Practice Exercises
8 exercises我___洗澡，___睡觉。
Find and fix the mistake:
我喝先咖啡，然后工作。
Which is correct?
然后 / 我 / 先 / 吃饭 / 睡觉
First read, then write.
A: 你明天做什么？ B: 我___去超市，___回家。
Use: 先, 然后, 学习, 休息
Which is for the first step?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
10 exercises[然后, 睡觉, 我, 先, 刷牙]
First listen to music, then do homework.
Match the Chinese to its English function:
{你|nǐ} ___ {付钱|fù qián}，{然后|ránhòu}{拿|ná}{咖啡|kāfēi}。
How do you say 'First I want coffee, then cake'?
{我们|wǒmen}{拍照|pāizhào}{先|xiān}。
[去, 然后, 上海, 我们, 先, 北京]
I will buy a phone first, then buy a computer.
Talking about your night:
{首先|shǒuxiān}{要|yào}{努力|nǔlì}，___ {要|yào}{有|yǒu}{方法|fāngfǎ}。
Score: /10
FAQ (8)
Yes, you can say '我先走' (I'll go first).
It's better to use one for clarity.
Mostly, yes. For lists, use '首先'.
Yes, but '先...再...' is more common for future plans.
Use '先...然后...最后...'.
No, it's very neutral.
You can, but it's usually redundant.
Not really, this is standard Mandarin.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Primero... luego...
Spanish verbs conjugate for person, while Chinese verbs do not.
D'abord... ensuite...
French requires agreement in gender/number for adjectives.
Zuerst... dann...
German has V2 word order rules that Chinese lacks.
まず... それから...
Japanese verbs go at the end of the sentence.
أولاً... ثم...
Arabic has complex root-based morphology.
先... 然后...
None.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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