Chinese word

率先

Pronunciation

Pinyinshuài xiān

Meaning

  • adverbbe the first

Example

开会时，他总是率先发言。kāi huì shí tā zǒng shì shuài xiān fā yán

At meetings, he is always the first to speak.

Illustration for 率先 (be the first)

More examples

讨论开始时，他率先提出了自己的意见。tǎo lùn kāi shǐ shí tā shuài xiān tí chū le zì jǐ de yì jiàn

When the discussion began, he was the first to give his opinion.

Core concept

Moves ahead first and sets an example that others can follow.

Common phrases

  • 率先发言shuài xiān fā yán

    be the first to speak

  • 率先提出shuài xiān tí chū

    be the first to propose

  • 率先参加shuài xiān cān jiā

    be the first to participate

Similar words

主动zhǔ dòng: Acts willingly on one's own initiative or offers to help without waiting to be asked.
首先shǒu xiān: Marks the first step in an order or process, meaning something is done first.
先xiān: Happens earlier than something else or is done before it.

Definition in Chinese

主动在前面做事，以身作则带动他人。zhǔ dòng zài qián miàn zuò shì yǐ shēn zuò zé dài dòng tā rén

Word origin

率 (shuài, "lead") + 先 (xiān, "first") forms a word for taking the lead by acting ahead of others.

Usage tips

  • It describes deliberate initiative rather than something that happens earlier by chance, so it often praises a person's willingness to act first.

Other meanings

  • proactivelyadverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word