Chinese word

优先

Pronunciation

Pinyinyōu xiān

Meaning

  • adverbfirst

Example

请把这件事优先处理。qǐng bǎ zhè jiàn shì yōu xiān chú lǐ

Please handle this matter first.

Illustration for 优先 (first)

More examples

应对客户投诉时，我们应优先处理紧急问题。yìng duì kè hù tóu sù shí wǒ men yīng yōu xiān chú lǐ jǐn jí wèn tí

When responding to customer complaints, we should handle urgent issues first.

Core concept

A place at the front of an ordered line of attention, time, or action.

Common phrases

  • 优先考虑yōu xiān kǎo lǜ

    consider first

  • 优先处理yōu xiān chú lǐ

    handle first

  • 优先安排yōu xiān ān pái

    arrange first

Similar words

先xiān: Coming first in time or order before another event or action.
首先shǒu xiān: Marking what is done or stated first in a series of steps or points.

Definition in Chinese

在时间、顺序或处理上把某人或某事放在前面，使其先于他人或其他事项得到处理或考虑，通常作副词使用。zài shí jiān shùn xù huò chú lǐ shàng bǎ mǒu rén huò mǒu shì fàng zài qián miàn shǐ qí xiān yú tā rén huò qí tā shì xiàng dé dào chù lǐ huò kǎo lǜ tōng cháng zuò fù cí shǐ yòng

Word origin

优先 (yōuxiān, "first") combines 优 (yōu, "favorable") and 先 (xiān, "before"), presenting the favored item as the one placed before the others.

Usage tips

  • As an adverb, it usually comes directly before the action that receives precedence, which makes its role clear in sentences about handling or considering something.

Other meanings

  • prioritizeverb
  • prioritynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 优先权yōu xiān quánprioritynoun
  • 优先级yōu xiān jípriority levelnoun
  • 优先顺序yōu xiān shùn xùorder of prioritynoun

Word lists with this word