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= Sequencing with "xian" and "zai" =
[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/ASGLJM55 [[File:Sequencing%20with%20%22xian%22%20and%20%22zai%22%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/link.png]]]
- Level[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/B1_grammar_points B1]
- Similar to
- [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22again%22_in_the_future_with_%22zai%22 Expressing "again" in the future with "zai"] (B1)
- [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22again%22_in_the_past_with_%22you%22 Expressing "again" in the past with "you"] (B1)
- [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Comparing_%22zai%22_and_%22you%22 Comparing "zai" and "you"] (B2)
- [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_%22never_again%22_with_%22zai_ye_bu%22 Expressing "never again" with "zai ye bu"] (B2)
- Used for[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Sequencing_events_in_time Sequencing events in time], [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Expressing_order Expressing order], [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Listing Listing]
- Keywords[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E5%85%88 先], [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E5%86%8D 再], [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E7%84%B6%E5%90%8E 然后]
- Translations[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Then then], [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/First first]
[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/File:Chinese-grammar-wiki-zai-2.jpg [[File:Sequencing%20with%20%22xian%22%20and%20%22zai%22%20-%20Chinese%20Grammar%20Wiki_fichiers/300px-Chinese-grammar-wiki-zai-2.jpg|300x300px|Chinese-grammar-wiki-zai-2.jpg]]]
== Contents ==
[[[#|hide]]]
* [[#Basic_Usage|1 Basic Usage]]
** [[#Structure|1.1 Structure]]
** [[#Examples|1.2 Examples]]
* [[#Colloquial_Usage_with_.E5.86.8D.E8.AF.B4|2 Colloquial Usage with 再说]]
** [[#Structure_2|2.1 Structure]]
** [[#Examples_2|2.2 Examples]]
* [[#.22and_then....22_with_.E6.8E.A5.E7.9D.80|3 "and then..." with 接着]]
* [[#Sources_and_further_reading|4 Sources and further reading]]
** [[#Books|4.1 Books]]
先 ⋯⋯ ，再 ⋯⋯
=== Examples ===
* ''先'' 洗 手 ''再'' 吃。Wash your hands first, and then eat.
* 我 喜欢 ''先'' 洗澡 ，''再'' 睡觉。I prefer to take a bath before I go to bed.
* 请 你 ''先'' 买 票 ''再'' 进。Please buy a ticket before you enter.
* 你 要 ''先'' 做 作业 ，''再'' 看 电视。First you need to do your homework, and then you can watch TV.
* 我 想 ''先'' 找 工作 ，''再'' 搬家 。I want to find a job first, and then move to a new place.
== Colloquial Usage with 再说 ==
You may have learned that [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%22In_addition%22_with_%22zaishuo%22 再说 can mean "in addition."] Well, this usage of 再 is a more literal combination of 再说, fitting into the 先⋯⋯再⋯⋯ pattern.
So in this usage, 再说 doesn't really mean "in addition." Rather, it most literally means "and then we'll talk." In other words, "let's just do this now," and then after we see the result, we can talk some more about next steps. There's kind of a "let's see how this goes first" feeling to the expression.
=== Structure ===
Note that in the pattern below, the sentence normally ends with 再说.
先 + [Verb Phrase] + 再说
=== Examples ===
* ''先'' 吃饭 ''再 说'' 。Let's eat first, then we'll talk.
* ''先'' 休息 一下 ''再说'' 。Let's rest a little first, then talk.
* 你 ''先'' 看 完''再说'' 。Finish reading first, and then we can talk.
* 我 ''先'' 问 一下 老板 ''再说'' 。I'm going to ask the boss first.
* 你们 ''先'' 讨论 一下 ''再说'' 。You guys discuss a little first, then we'll talk.
== "and then..." with 接着 ==
When describing a series of actions, steps, or consecutive events, your Chinese will sound more natural if you can diversify your conjunctions. [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E7%84%B6%E5%90%8E 然后] (ránhòu) is most commonly used, a conjunction which means "[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/And_then and then]." Alternatively, you can use 接着 (jīezhe), as a conjunction that means "next," or "afterwards."
A longer example to help you understand how they can all work together:
* 今 早 我 起床 以后 ''先'' 准备 早饭 ，''再'' 叫 孩子们 起床 ，'''接着''' 我们 一起 吃早饭 ，''然后'' 我 送 他们 去 学校 。After I got up this morning, I first prepared breakfast, and then I woke up the kids. Afterwards, we ate breakfast together. After that, I took them to school.
== Sources and further reading ==
=== Books ===
* [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1_(3rd_ed) Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)] (pp. 258-9) [http://amzn.to/2xe9H5W →buy]
* [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Integrated_Chinese:_Level_2,_Part_2 Integrated Chinese: Level 2, Part 2] (pp. 19-20) [http://amzn.to/2ftpILV →buy]
* [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/%E5%8D%93%E8%B6%8A%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%EF%BC%8D%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8%E5%AE%9E%E6%88%98%E7%AF%87 卓越汉语－公司实战篇] (pp. 172) [ →buy]
[https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Special:Categories Category]:
* [https://resources.allsetlearning.com/chinese/grammar/Category:B1_grammar_points B1 grammar points]
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