再 · 先……再……
then, after that; not until then (for things not done yet)
Structure
动作1 + 再 + 动作2 · 先 …… 再 ……
What it means
再 before the second verb means “then, after that”: first one thing, then the other. It can also mean “not until then”: 明天再买 “buy it tomorrow, not now”.
How it is built
(先) + action 1 + 再 + action 2: 你先吃饭，再做作业 (Eat first, then do your homework). Or a time or condition + 再 + verb: 等雨停了再走吧 (Let’s wait till the rain stops before we go).
When to use it
Use 再 for plans, advice and instructions: things that haven’t happened yet. For things that have already happened, use 然后: 我先吃了饭，然后看了电视.
Watch out
✗ 我先吃了饭，再看了电视。 ✓ 我先吃了饭，然后看了电视。 再 looks ahead; it doesn’t tell the story of finished actions.
Examples
你先吃饭，再做作业。
Eat first, then do your homework.
等雨停了再走吧。
Let’s wait until the rain stops before we go.
今天太晚了，我们明天再去吧。
It’s too late today. Let’s go tomorrow.
Learn this in HSK 3 · Lesson 19: 新手机 (Setting up a phone)
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.
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