Structuring a talk: 首先……其次……最后
复句 / complex sentences
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
To organise a speech or a list of steps, use 首先 (first of all), 其次 (secondly, next), and 最后 (finally).
首先 and 其次 are rather formal: great for interviews, presentations or written texts. In relaxed speech people prefer 先……再……然后……
其次 can also mean "secondary, less important": 工资是其次的 (the salary is secondary).
Examples
首先，我对这个工作很感兴趣；其次，我有相关的经验。
Shǒuxiān, wǒ duì zhège gōngzuò hěn gǎn xìngqù; qícì, wǒ yǒu xiāngguān de jīngyàn.First, I'm very interested in this job; secondly, I have relevant experience.
首先要了解情况，然后再做决定。
Shǒuxiān yào liǎojiě qíngkuàng, ránhòu zài zuò juédìng.First you need to understand the situation, then make a decision.
最后，谢谢大家给我这个机会。
Zuìhòu, xièxie dàjiā gěi wǒ zhège jīhuì.Finally, thank you all for giving me this opportunity.
Common mistakes
✗ 第一……其次……最后 isn't wrong, but avoid mixing registers: use 首先……其次……最后 or 第一……第二……第三.
✗ 最后我首先吃饭。 → 首先 and 最后 can't sit in the same clause.