Meaning of xiān:

xiān

先

Adverb

beforehand; first; earlier; at first; originally; for the time being; for now

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Wǒmen yīnggāi xiān zuòwán zuòyè.

我们应该先做完作业。

We should finish our homework first.

Wǒmen xiān kàn kàn tiānqì yùbào, ránhòu zài juédìng qù bù qù.

我们先看看天气预报，然后再决定去不去。

Let's first check the weather forecast, and then decide whether to go or not.

Wǒmen xiān xiūxí yīxià, ránhòu jìxù gōngzuò.

我们先休息一下，然后继续工作。

We'll rest for now, then continue working.

Prefixe

(prefix) my late (in referring to deceased relatives older than oneself)

Wǒ de xiān fù zài shì shí shì yī wèi jiàoshī.

我的先父在世时是一位教师。

My late father was a teacher when he was alive.