先 … ，再 … (first …, then …)

First this, then that

early先xiān…，again / then再zài… orders two actions: do the first, then the second.
early先xiān做作业zuò zuò yè，again / then再zàiTaiwan pr.玩wán = "do your homework first, then play."
again / then再zài here = "and then", the next planned step (not "again").

early先xiān marks step one; again / then再zài marks step two (still to come).

first先xiāneat吃饭chī fàn，then再zàiwatch看kànmovie电影diàn yǐng。

early先xiānto have a meal吃饭chī fàn，again / then再zàito see看kànmovie电影diàn yǐng = "eat first, then watch a movie."

Practice

Eat first, then watch a movie: 先吃饭，____ 看电影。

Practice

Build: “Eat first, then watch a movie.”

In this frame again / then再zài sequences the next step; it doesn't mean "once more".

Explore

先 A，再 B chains the plan — and 再 (not 才, not a trailing 先) is the partner.

Practice

In 先…，再…, what does 再 mean?

Key idea

Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.