早先

zǎoxiān

adverb #13,705

Meanings

1 previously
2 before
3 in the past

Characters

first; earlier; before

Examples

早先这里是一片农田。

zǎoxiān zhèlǐ shì yī piàn nóngtián.

Previously, this area was all farmland.

Tips

usage

早先 implies a past that is somewhat distant, often used when reminiscing. More colloquial than 从前 but less formal than 以前.

Stroke Order

早 zǎo

先 xiān