Dong Chinese dictionary

xiān

first

Depicts a person (人) stepping forward (止) leading the way.

Components

止 Iconic component

zhǐ

(foot), stop

Depicts a foot stepping forward.

Due to historical stylistic changes, this component is less similar to 止 than it was in ancient scripts.

人 Iconic component

rén

person

Due to historical stylistic changes, this component is less similar to 人 than it was in ancient scripts.

Evolution

Oracle script

(~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze script

Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Seal script

Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical script

Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Regular script

Modern

Definitions

xiān

first, former, previous; early; prior; former; in advance; first

Most common words with 先

Component uses

Meaning component in 1 character (1 verified)

Sound component in 10 characters (2 verified)

Sources