首先……其次…… shǒuxiān…… qícì……

首先……其次……（shǒuxiān…… qícì……）means “first... second... — lists points or steps in order”. 首先…其次… is a paired structure for listing points or steps in sequence: 首先 marks the first item ('first of all'), 其次 the second ('secondly, next'). Formation: 首先 + 第一点，其次 + 第二点（可再接 再次/最后）

first... second... — lists points or steps in order

HSK4

Formation

首先 + 第一点，其次 + 第二点（可再接 再次/最后）

Explanation

首先…其次… is a paired structure for listing points or steps in sequence: 首先 marks the first item ('first of all'), 其次 the second ('secondly, next'). More items can follow with 再次 or 最后 for the final one. It organizes reasons, steps or aspects clearly and is common in explanations and writing.

Examples

学好中文，首先 要多听多说，其次 要坚持练习。
xué hǎo zhōngwén, shǒuxiān yào duō tīng duō shuō, qícì yào jiānchí liànxí
To master Chinese, first you must listen and speak a lot, and second you must keep practicing.
这个计划 首先 成本太高，其次 时间也不够。
zhège jìhuà shǒuxiān chéngběn tài gāo, qícì shíjiān yě búgòu
This plan, first, costs too much, and second, there isn't enough time either.

Note

首先 also means 'first of all' on its own; the pair 首先…其次… enumerates. Continue with 再次…最后… for more items.

FAQ

首先……其次…… — what does it mean and how is it used?

first... second... — lists points or steps in order. 首先…其次… is a paired structure for listing points or steps in sequence: 首先 marks the first item ('first of all'), 其次 the second ('secondly, next'). More items can follow with 再次 or 最后 for the final one. It organizes reasons, steps or aspects clearly and is common in explanations and writing.

首先……其次…… — how do you form it?

首先 + 第一点，其次 + 第二点（可再接 再次/最后）

首先……其次…… — any usage notes?

首先 also means 'first of all' on its own; the pair 首先…其次… enumerates. Continue with 再次…最后… for more items.

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