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先 … ，再 … (first …, then …)
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A proposed sequence is not a completed history
- You suggest eating before watching a film.
- first先eat吃饭，then再watch看movie电影。 — The proposed order is eating followed by the film.
You suggest eating before watching a film. What does 先吃饭，再看电影。 communicate?
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The proposed order is eating followed by the film. 再 marks the subsequent step here. The sentence alone does not report that either action has already occurred.
Build the form
- The pattern in this lesson is first先 … ，then再 … (first …, then …). Locate it in the original interlinear examples below.
- Keep the words in their demonstrated positions; the pattern must fit the intended situation as well as the sentence form.
first先eat吃饭，then再watch看movie电影。
Using the lesson pattern in this demonstrated example: Eat first, then watch a movie: 先吃饭，____ 看电影。
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先 … ，再 … orders two steps: 先吃饭,再看电影.
Read examples in context
- In the opening example, first先eat吃饭，then再watch看movie电影。: The proposed order is eating followed by the film.
- Explain who acts, what is described and which time or group is relevant before choosing an English paraphrase.
In 先…，再…, what does 再 mean?
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Here 再 = the next planned step, not “again”.
Build: “Eat first, then watch a movie.”
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先 … ，再 …: 先吃饭 + 再 + 看电影.
Know the boundary
- then再 marks the subsequent step here.
- The sentence alone does not report that either action has already occurred.
This sentence proves both actions have already been completed.
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再 marks the subsequent step here. The sentence alone does not report that either action has already occurred. The proposed order is eating followed by the film.
Use the distinction
- The proposed order is eating followed by the film.
- then再 marks the subsequent step here. The sentence alone does not report that either action has already occurred.
Read the full reference: HSK 4 grammar — Adverbs.
You suggest eating before watching a film. Close the examples. Say a Mandarin response, then write it in Chinese. Explain briefly in English what the lesson’s pattern adds. Compare with the model, then change one detail and try again.
This is supported productive practice. Compare meaning and structure; your answer need not copy the model. A partner or teacher must hear the spoken response to comment on pronunciation.