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原先 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
原先yuánxiānformerHSK 6, d, rank #7627, Hard
原先yuánxiānoriginalHSK 6, d, rank #7627, Hard
原先yuánxiānoriginallyHSK 6, unknown, rank #7627, Hard
yuánxiān(yuan2xian1) T2
  1. 1former
  2. 2original
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
原先yuánxiān(yuan2xian1)

原先 (yuánxiān) refers to something that was in a previous state or condition, often used to indicate the original or former situation before a change occurred. It is commonly used in contexts where one contrasts past and present states, emphasizing a difference or transition.

Frequency#7627DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

The concept of 'original' or 'former' is significant in Chinese culture, especially in discussions of heritage and traditional values, where understanding the past is essential in appreciating the present.

Memory Tip

Think of 原 (yuán) as the 'source' or 'origin' and 先 (xiān) as 'first' or 'before'. Imagine a timeline where the 'original' event is marked at the beginning, indicating where things started before any changes happened.

Meanings of 原先

yuánxiān(yuan2xian1)
1former
2original
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 原先

原先Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#7627Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 原先

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Podcast: 原先

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AI Study Notes for 原先

Quick Contrast

原来 (yuánlái) is used when revealing the true nature or situation of something, while 原先 (yuánxiān) emphasizes the previous state before a change.

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 原 (yuán) as the 'source' or 'origin' and 先 (xiān) as 'first' or 'before'. Imagine a timeline where the 'original' event is marked at the beginning, indicating where things started before any changes happened.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 原先 with 以前 (yǐqián), which also means 'before' but is less formal. Remember that 原先 is typically used in more formal contexts or when emphasizing the original state. Be careful with the tone of '先' to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 6 word, 原先 connects well with other advanced vocabulary that discusses change, history, or comparisons. Focus on using it in sentences that reflect contrast or discuss alterations in situations.

Cultural Note

The concept of 'original' or 'former' is significant in Chinese culture, especially in discussions of heritage and traditional values, where understanding the past is essential in appreciating the present.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes mix up 原先 with 原来 (yuánlái), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '原先我以为他会来' (I originally thought he would come) is correct, while '原来我以为他会来' changes the meaning to a realization rather than an assumption.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 原先

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Component Characters

原yuánformer
HSK 510 strokes厂
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先xiānearly
HSK 36 strokes儿
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Write 原先

原
先

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Grammar Patterns of 原先

原先 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 3 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

这辆轿车比____的车型短了约40毫米。

The car is some 40mm shorter than its predecessor.

Example Sentences for 原先 (10)

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1
这辆轿车比原先的车型短了约40毫米。

zhè liàng jiào chē bǐ yuán xiān de chē xíng duǎn le yuē40 40 háo。

The car is some 40mm shorter than its predecessor.
2
原先苹果酒里的任何杂质在蒸馏后都会凸现出来。

yuán xiān píng guǒ jiǔ lǐ de rèn hé zá zhì zài zhēng liù hòu dū huì tū xiàn chū lái。

Any faults in the original cider stood out sharply after distillation.
3
原先他还以为伯恩斯对俄国人过于手软呢。

yuán xiān tā huán yǐ wéi bó ēn sī duì é guó rén guò yú shǒu ruǎn ne。

He had initially thought Byrnes too soft with the Russians.
4
10年过去了，原先的概念仍不过时。

10 10 nián guò qù， le ， yuán xiān de gài niàn réng bù。

Ten years on, the original concept was wearing well.
5
要是杰贝兹·史东原先已吓破了胆的话, 那他现在便是魂不附体了.

yào shì jié bèi zī· · shǐ dōng yuán xiān yǐ xià pò le dǎn de, huà , nà tā xiàn zài biàn shì hún bù fù.

If Jabez Stone had been sick with terror before , he was blind with terror now.
6
她原先叫Lili（莉莉），最后她把名字略作Lee（李）。

tā yuán xiān jiàoLili（ Lili（ lì）， lì ）， zuì hòu tā bǎ míng zìLee（ lüè）。

Originally called Lili, she eventually shortened her name to Lee.
7
这篇文章原先发表在一本杂志上.

zhè piān wén zhāng yuán xiān fā biǎo zài yī běn zá zhì shàng.

It was originally published in the pages of a magazine.
8
原先答应三天,结果延长到六个星期之久.

yuán xiān dá yīng sān tiān, , jié guǒ yán cháng dào liù gè xīng qī zhī.

The promise ３ days strung out to ６ weeks.
9
那座原先是纺织厂的楼房改成学校了。

nà zuò yuán xiān shì fǎng zhī chǎng de lóu fáng gǎi chéng xué xiào le。

That building that used to be a textile mill has been converted into a school.
10
我们原先同意均摊费用,但后来他却不肯付钱.

wǒ mén yuán xiān tóng yì jūn tān fèi yòng, , dàn hòu lái tā què bù kěn fù.

We agreed to share the cost but later he wouldn't shell out.

Cultural Notes for 原先

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 'original' or 'former' is significant in Chinese culture, especially in discussions of heritage and traditional values, where understanding the past is essential in appreciating the present.

Frequently Asked Questions about 原先

No, 原先 specifically relates to past situations; use 未来 (wèilái) for future contexts.