首先…其次…最后…

first …, second …, finally …: ordering your points

Structure

首先 A ，其次 B ，最后 C

What it means

Orders the points of an argument, speech or list: first, second, finally. It ranks reasons or aspects rather than telling a timeline of actions.

How it is built

首先 + point 1，其次 + point 2，最后 + point 3, each at the head of its clause: 首先是价格，其次是质量 (First comes price, then quality). A longer list can add 再次 before 最后.

When to use it

Formal-leaning; suits speeches, essays and presentations. For actions done in time order use 先…再…然后…: 先洗手，再吃饭. 其次 can also mean 'secondary': 价格是其次的.

Watch out

✗ 首先我洗澡，其次吃早饭。 ✓ 我先洗澡，然后吃早饭。其次 ranks points of importance, not steps in time.

Examples

首先是座位，其次是点菜，最后是买单。

First seating, then ordering, lastly the bill.

首先，我要感谢大家；其次，我想解释一下原因。

First, I want to thank everyone; second, I would like to explain why.

Learn this in Lesson 31 · HSK 5–6: 饭局的规矩 (The rules of the dinner table)

A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.

Open the lesson →