first of all; firstly
HSK level
首先 is written with 15 strokes (首: 9, 先: 6). The animation replays automatically.
首先 (shǒuxiān) is an adverb and discourse connector meaning 'first of all, firstly, to begin with.'
It marks the first point in a sequence of reasons or steps and typically pairs with follow-ups like 其次 (qícì, secondly), 然后 (ránhòu, then), and 最后 (zuìhòu, finally). It usually sits at the head of a clause: 首先，我们要….
Two contrasts with English 'first' help learners: first, 首先 orders points or arguments, not physical position — 'first in line' is 第一个, not 首先; second, unlike the plain adverb 先 (xiān, 'do X before Y'), 首先 is a rhetorical signpost for organizing discourse, so it feels natural in speeches and essays but stiff for 'you go first' (你先走). Think of 首先 as the word that opens an enumerated list of points.
Note: 首先 is common in structured speech and writing — essays, speeches, step-by-step explanations. In very casual chat, 先 (xiān) alone often replaces it.
Character by character
Memory hook: 首 (foremost) + 先 (before) = the very first thing you bring up.
首先，我要谢谢大家。
Shǒuxiān, wǒ yào xièxie dàjiā.
First of all, I want to thank everyone.
neutral
做菜首先要洗手。
Zuò cài shǒuxiān yào xǐ shǒu.
To cook, first you need to wash your hands.
spoken
首先，我们来看第一个问题。
Shǒuxiān, wǒmen lái kàn dì-yī gè wèntí.
First, let's look at the first question.
neutral
这件事首先应该考虑安全。
Zhè jiàn shì shǒuxiān yīnggāi kǎolǜ ānquán.
For this matter, safety should be considered first.
written
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