Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
事先shìxiān(shi4xian1)
事先 (shìxiān) means 'in advance' or 'beforehand,' indicating something that occurs prior to a specific event or action. It is commonly used in contexts such as planning, notifications, and preparations where advance notice is essential.
Frequency#3803DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, planning ahead is highly valued, often seen in business and social settings where advance notice is expected for events or meetings. This reflects the cultural emphasis on order and respect for others' time.
Memory Tip
Think of 事 (shì) as a 'matter' or 'affair' and 先 (xiān) meaning 'before.' Picture a person organizing matters before a big event, ensuring everything is in order ahead of time. The '事' looks like a person standing with arms raised, preparing for something important, while '先' suggests the idea of leading or going ahead.
Meanings of 事先
shìxiān(shi4xian1)
1in advance
2before the event
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 事先
事先Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#3803Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 事先
Podcast: 事先
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 事先
Quick Contrast
预先 (yùxiān) - use 事先 when emphasizing the timing before a specific event; use 预先 for a broader sense of advance preparation.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 事 (shì) as a 'matter' or 'affair' and 先 (xiān) meaning 'before.' Picture a person organizing matters before a big event, ensuring everything is in order ahead of time. The '事' looks like a person standing with arms raised, preparing for something important, while '先' suggests the idea of leading or going ahead.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 事先 with 之前 (zhīqián), which also means 'before.' 事先 is more about proactive planning, while 之前 is more general. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, often paired with verbs like 通知 (tōngzhī - to inform) or 准备 (zhǔnbèi - to prepare).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK 5 word, 事先 can be connected to other words related to time and planning, such as 提前 (tíqián - to advance, do in advance) and 计划 (jìhuà - plan). Focus on how it can be used in sentences to express the importance of timing in actions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, planning ahead is highly valued, often seen in business and social settings where advance notice is expected for events or meetings. This reflects the cultural emphasis on order and respect for others' time.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 事先 in contexts where 之前 would be more appropriate. For example, saying '我事先去过那里' (I went there in advance) should be corrected to '我之前去过那里' (I went there before).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 事先
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 事先 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 事先 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 事先
事先 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这可不是头脑一热作出的决定。我们____仔细地讨论过。
It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. We discussed it in detail beforehand.
Example Sentences for 事先 (9)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这可不是头脑一热作出的决定。我们事先仔细地讨论过。
zhè kě bù shì tóu nǎo yī rè zuò chū de jué dìng。 。 wǒ mén shì xiān zī xì dì tǎo lùn。
It wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. We discussed it in detail beforehand.
2
他已事先写好了答案。
tā yǐ shì xiān xiě hǎo le dá àn。
He had prepared scripted answers.
3
他们从事先准备好讲稿的演说转向一问一答的形式.
tā mén cóng shì xiān zhǔn bèi hǎo jiǎng gǎo de yǎn shuō zhuǎn xiàng yī wèn yī dá de xíng shì.
They switched from set speeches to a question - and - answer format.
4
她怎么会事先知道我要出去？
tā zěn mó huì shì xiān zhī dào wǒ yào chū qù？
How could she tell beforehand that I was going to go out?
The Macmillan Guide had forewarned me of what to expect.
7
这事先慢点告诉他.
zhè shì xiān màn diǎn gào sù tā.
Don't tell her about this yet.
8
演员不出声地哼着那首已经事先录好音的歌曲.
yǎn yuán bù chū shēng dì hēng zháo nà shǒu yǐ jīng shì xiān lù hǎo yīn de gē qū.
The actor mouthed the words of the recorded song.
9
事先大家毫无察觉的情况下墙塌了.
shì xiān dà jiā háo wú chá jué de qíng kuàng xià qiáng tā le.
The wall caved in without the slightest warning.
Cultural Notes for 事先
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, planning ahead is highly valued, often seen in business and social settings where advance notice is expected for events or meetings. This reflects the cultural emphasis on order and respect for others' time.
Frequently Asked Questions about 事先
You can say, '我事先通知了她' (I informed her in advance).
Yes, it is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts, especially in written communication.
No, 事先 specifically refers to actions taken before a future event.
