先…再/然后… xiān … zài / ránhòu …
先…再/然后…（xiān … zài / ránhòu …）means “先…再/然后…: do one thing first, then the next — marking sequence”. 先 marks the first action; 再 or 然后 introduces the next one, showing the order of events, e. Formation: 先 + 动作1 +（再/然后）+ 动作2
先…再/然后…: do one thing first, then the next — marking sequence
HSK2Formation
先 + 动作1 +（再/然后）+ 动作2
Explanation
先 marks the first action; 再 or 然后 introduces the next one, showing the order of events, e.g. 先洗手，再吃饭 ('wash hands first, then eat'). 再 stresses the logical 'and then', while 然后 simply means 'afterwards'. Here 再 does NOT mean 'again'.
Examples
Note
In this pattern 再 = 'and then', not 'again'.
FAQ
先…再/然后… — what does it mean and how is it used?
先…再/然后…: do one thing first, then the next — marking sequence. 先 marks the first action; 再 or 然后 introduces the next one, showing the order of events, e.g. 先洗手，再吃饭 ('wash hands first, then eat'). 再 stresses the logical 'and then', while 然后 simply means 'afterwards'. Here 再 does NOT mean 'again'.
先…再/然后… — how do you form it?
先 + 动作1 +（再/然后）+ 动作2
先…再/然后… — any usage notes?
In this pattern 再 = 'and then', not 'again'.