WHOLE CHARACTER
先
first; before; ahead (先后, 领先); earlier; former (先前); ancestors; the departed (先人)
先 is first — the foot that steps ahead, and those who came before.
ZDIC: 会意, 从止、从人 — a foot before a person, the one who goes first.
Character Familiestop / bottom
先
first; before; ahead (先后, 领先); earlier; former (先前); ancestors; the departed (先人)
先 is first — the foot that steps ahead, and those who came before.
GF0025–2021 character list · 一级One character pageAll readings and linked senses stay together.
WHOLE GLYPH & STRUCTURE
top / bottom
ZDIC: 会意, 从止、从人 — a foot before a person, the one who goes first.
MEANING: THE FOOT THAT GOES AHEAD
止
to stop; also the original graph for a foot
Standalone meanings are kept separate from the associative role in 先.
In 先: meaning: the foot that goes ahead 止's dictionary senses (to stop; originally a foot) are kept separate from this role.
LOWER PIECE (THE PERSON FORM)
儿
child; the nominal suffix 儿
Standalone meaning and suffix use are kept separate from the person-figure role in 先.
In 先: lower piece (the person form) Shown with its documented or clearly limited role.
Tone 1
- first; before; ahead (先后, 领先)
- earlier; former (先前)
- ancestors; the departed (先人)
- 首先first of all
- 领先to lead; to be ahead
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