先入为主
xiān rù wéi zhǔ
first impressions rule; to be prejudiced by what one heard first
Character by character
先xiān
first
first
入rù
enter
enter
为wéi
become
become
主zhǔ
master
master
Example
面试官要是先入为主，只看简历上的学校，就可能错过真正的人才。
An interviewer who goes by first impressions and looks only at the university on the CV may miss real talent.
Tone: negative (criticism).
Usage and origin
From the 《汉书》, where an emperor is warned not to let what he heard first decide the matter (无以先入之语为主). It criticises judging by an early impression or a preconception: 先入为主的观念, 不要先入为主. Note that 为 is read wéi, “to become”.
Learn this in Lesson 249 · HSK 9+: i人还是e人 (Introvert or extrovert?)
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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