Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar

indicating that one event happens first and another event happens afterwards

42.3

42.3 indicating that one event happens first and another event

happens afterwards

The following pairs of adverbs are used to indicate that one event happens first and another

event happens afterwards. The adverbs always occur before [prepositional phrases +] verb

phrases. The order of the adverbs and their following verb phrases is fixed. They are often used

when giving instructions and describing processes.

42.3.1 indicating the relationship ‘first... then.. .’

The following pairs of adverbs are commonly used to indicate the relationship ‘first... then.. .’

先 xiān VP 1 再 zài VP 2

first VP 1 then VP 2

你先买票，再上公共汽车。

你先買票，再上公共汽車。

Nǐ xiān mǎi piào, zài shàng gōnggòng qì chē.

You first buy a ticket, then get on the bus.

先 xiān VP 1 然后/然後 ránhòu VP 2

first VP 1 then /afterwards VP 2

我们得先去换钱，然后去买东西。

我們得先去換錢，然後去買東西。

Wǒmen děi xiān qù huàn qián, ránhòu qù mǎi dōngxi.

We have to first change money and then go shopping.

先 xiān VP 1 以后/以後 yǐhòu VP 2

first VP 1 then /afterwards VP 2

我们先吃饭，以后讨论那件事情。

我們先吃飯，以後討論那件事情。

Wǒmen xiān chī fàn, yǐhòu tǎolùn nà jiàn shìqing.

We will eat first and discuss this matter afterwards.

42.3.2 indicating the relationship ‘first... only then.. .’

To indicate that some event occurs ‘only after’ another event, say:

先 xiān VP 1 才 cái VP 2

first VP 1 only then VP 2

你先买票，才上公共汽车。

你先買票，才上公共汽車。

Nǐ xiān mǎi piào, cái shàng gōnggòng qìchē.

You first buy a ticket and only then get on the bus.

C15.2.6