先例 (xiānlì): precedent

Measure Word

一个先例 gè

Meanings

1 precedent
2 prior example

Characters

A prior example.

Examples

HSK 1

我们不能开这个先例。

Wǒmen bùnéng kāi zhègè xiānlì.

We cannot set this precedent.

HSK 4

历史上有过类似的先例。

Lìshǐ shàng yǒu guò lèisì de xiānlì.

There have been similar precedents in history.

HSK 7-9

这件事没有先例可循。

Zhè jiàn shì méiyǒu xiānlì kě xún.

There is no precedent to follow for this matter.

Tips

usage

Common collocations: 开先例 (set a precedent), 史无前例/没有先例 (unprecedented), 先例可循 (precedent to follow).

Stroke Order

先 xiān

例 lì

Related Words

预先 yùxiān HSK 7-9 #8,744

in advance / beforehand / prior

惯例 guànlì HSK 7-9 #9,321

convention / usual practice / precedent

条例 tiáolì HSK 7-9 #7,003

regulations / ordinance / rules

祖先 zǔxiān HSK 7-9 #7,073

ancestor / forefather

例 lì #7,109

example; case; instance / rule; regulation / precedent

先进 xiānjìn HSK 3 #5,078

advanced / progressive

例子 lìzi HSK 2 #4,639

example / instance

例如 lìrú HSK 2 #4,451

for example / such as

先知 xiānzhī #5,205

prophet; seer / person of foresight

事先 shìxiān HSK 4 #3,803

in advance / beforehand / prior