Sequencing steps: 先……再……然后……最后
复句 / complex sentences
Tone colorsā tone 1á tone 2ǎ tone 3à tone 4a neutral
先 + V1，再 + V2，然后 + V3，最后 + V4
To describe a sequence of steps (a recipe, directions…), use:
- 先 (first): adverb, after the subject;
- 再 (then): adverb, for a future action or an instruction;
- 然后 (after that): conjunction, at the start of a clause;
- 最后 (finally).
再 vs 又: 再 = "again / then" for the future; 又 = "again" for something already done. So in a recipe (instructions), use 再.
Examples
先把西红柿洗干净，再切成小块。
Xiān bǎ xīhóngshì xǐ gānjìng, zài qiēchéng xiǎo kuài.First wash the tomatoes, then cut them into small pieces.
然后把鸡蛋放进锅里，最后加一点儿盐。
Ránhòu bǎ jīdàn fàngjìn guō lǐ, zuìhòu jiā yìdiǎnr yán.Then put the eggs in the wok, and finally add a little salt.
我们先吃饭，然后再去看电影吧。
Wǒmen xiān chīfàn, ránhòu zài qù kàn diànyǐng ba.Let's eat first and then go to the cinema.
Common mistakes
✗ 先洗菜，又切菜。 → instruction/future: ✓ 先洗菜，再切菜。
✗ 我再先吃饭。 → word order: ✓ 我先吃饭，再……