[Learn basic Chinese with grammar] How to sequence events with 先, 然後, and 最後

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How to sequence events with 先, 然後, and 最後

先 ♬ means “first,” 然後 ♬ means “then,” and 最後 ♬ means “last” or “finally.”

Use these words to describe actions in time order.

Word	Meaning
先	first
然後	then
最後	last; finally

A common structure is:

Structure	Meaning
先 + action A，然後 + action B，最後 + action C	First do A, then do B, and finally do C

Chinese	Pinyin	English
我先吃飯，然後喝水，最後看書。 ♬	Wǒ xiān chī fàn, ránhòu hē shuǐ, zuìhòu kàn shū.	I eat first, then drink water, and finally read a book.

Use 最後 only for the final step. If there are only two steps, 先 and 然後 are enough.

Useful words and example sentences