首先...其次...: First and Second in Chinese
首先…其次…
首先...其次... orders two points, steps, standards, or reasons in a clear sequence. 首先 opens the first item and 其次 introduces the next one; 最后 may add a final item. The markers can organize one sentence or a longer passage, and the relation need not describe simultaneous actions.
Published July 21, 2026
Reviewed July 21, 2026
01 / PATTERN
See the Structure
MODEL
首先 + Point 1, 其次 + Point 2
Read the structure
首先...其次... orders two points, steps, standards, or reasons in a clear sequence. 首先 opens the first item and 其次 introduces the next one; 最后 may add a final item. The markers can organize one sentence or a longer passage, and the relation need not describe simultaneous actions. Keep the model 首先 + Point 1, 其次 + Point 2 visible while you compare each sentence.
学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。
When learning Chinese, first listen more and second speak more.
Choose the right context
To present steps in order: 学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。 To rank considerations: 选择工作，首先看自己喜欢不喜欢，其次看工资。 To organize reasons or points in an explanation, with 最后 available for an additional final item.
选择工作，首先看自己喜欢不喜欢，其次看工资。
When choosing a job, first consider whether you like it and second consider the salary.
Respect the boundary
For two actions happening at the same time; use 一边...一边... when simultaneity is the intended relation. Do not assume 最后 is required after 其次; two ordered points can form a complete sequence. Do not stack 首先 and 其次 before one item or leave the clause after either marker structurally incomplete.
学习中文，首先其次要多听和多说。
(When learning Chinese, first and second listen more and speak more.)
Repair the pattern
Both sequence markers are stacked before one item: 首先 introduces the first complete item, while 其次 must wait until the second item begins. They cannot be stacked as one marker. The first ordered item is left incomplete: 要 needs a following action. The first point must be completed before 其次 introduces the next point.
学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。
Use the repaired structure without changing the intended meaning.
02 / MAP
Read the Sentence
Read from left to right and notice the job performed by each part. The labels describe this example; they are not a rule that every Chinese sentence must copy.
学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。
When learning Chinese, first listen more and second speak more.
学习
首先
This part occupies the 首先 position in the model pattern.
中文
Point 1, 其次
This part occupies the Point 1, 其次 position in the model pattern.
，
Point 2
This part occupies the Point 2 position in the model pattern.
首先
首先
This part occupies the 首先 position in the model pattern.
要
Point 1, 其次
This part occupies the Point 1, 其次 position in the model pattern.
多
Point 2
This part occupies the Point 2 position in the model pattern.
听
首先
This part occupies the 首先 position in the model pattern.
，
Point 1, 其次
This part occupies the Point 1, 其次 position in the model pattern.
其次
Point 2
This part occupies the Point 2 position in the model pattern.
要
首先
This part occupies the 首先 position in the model pattern.
多说
Point 1, 其次
This part occupies the Point 1, 其次 position in the model pattern.
03 / EXAMPLES
Examples You Can Reuse
Keep the structure stable while changing the people, objects, times, or conditions. Pinyin is shown as reading support; use the Chinese sentence and translation to confirm the grammar relationship.
学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。
When learning Chinese, first listen more and second speak more.
选择工作，首先看自己喜欢不喜欢，其次看工资。
When choosing a job, first consider whether you like it and second consider the salary.
这个办法有两个好处，首先很简单，其次很省时间。
This method has two advantages: first, it is simple; second, it saves time.
介绍旅行计划时，首先说去哪儿，其次说什么时候去，最后说怎么去。
When presenting a travel plan, say where to go first, when to go second, and how to go last.
解决这个问题，首先要了解原因，其次要听听大家的意见。
To solve this problem, first understand the cause and second listen to everyone's views.
04 / LIMITS
When to Use It — and When Not To
Use it when
- To present steps in order: 学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。
- To rank considerations: 选择工作，首先看自己喜欢不喜欢，其次看工资。
- To organize reasons or points in an explanation, with 最后 available for an additional final item.
Do not use it when
- For two actions happening at the same time; use 一边...一边... when simultaneity is the intended relation.
- Do not assume 最后 is required after 其次; two ordered points can form a complete sequence.
- Do not stack 首先 and 其次 before one item or leave the clause after either marker structurally incomplete.
05 / REPAIR
Compare Right and Wrong
Compare the smallest meaningful change. Each explanation identifies a placement, scope, form, or clause relationship instead of treating the whole sentence as one undifferentiated mistake.
学习中文，首先其次要多听和多说。
学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。
Both sequence markers are stacked before one item
首先 introduces the first complete item, while 其次 must wait until the second item begins. They cannot be stacked as one marker.
学习中文，首先要，其次要多说。
学习中文，首先要多听，其次要多说。
The first ordered item is left incomplete
要 needs a following action. The first point must be completed before 其次 introduces the next point.
学习中文，首先其次要多听和多说。
Do not stack 首先 and 其次. Give each marker its own ordered point.
学习中文，首先要，其次要多说。
Complete the action after 首先要, for example 首先要多听, before introducing the second item.
06 / PRACTICE
Practice the Grammar Point
Complete three short tasks in order: judge the pattern, repair a common error, and build the sentence. Feedback is fixed and reviewed, so these activities do not use a checker allowance.
1. Judge the sentence
2. Choose the correction
3. Build the sentence
Build a complete sentence with 首先…其次….
07 / APPLY
Apply It in Your Sentence
Write one original sentence with 首先…其次…. Your draft moves to the checker through this browser session, selects this grammar point as the first review focus, and waits for you to submit.
08 / QUESTIONS
首先...其次...: First and Second Questions
Must 首先 and 其次 appear in the same sentence?
No. They can organize clauses in one sentence, separate sentences, or even different paragraphs. What matters is that the reader can identify the first and next points.
What is the difference between 其次 and 然后?
其次 often ranks or organizes points in an explanation. 然后 commonly advances a time sequence, although it can also introduce the next step in some contexts.
Is 最后 required after 首先...其次...?
No. Use 最后 when there is a final additional item to present. A sequence containing only a first and second point is already complete.
09 / SOURCES
Sources and Review Notes
These references support different parts of the lesson. GF0025-2021 supports level placement only; professional grammar works support the explanation, limits, examples, and cross-checks. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement.
Chinese Proficiency Grading Standards for International Chinese Language Education (GF0025-2021)
Ministry of Education and State Language Commission · Ministry of Education of the PRC · 2021
Locator: Appendix A, Level 4 grammar inventory, item 45
Supports placement of 首先……其次…… in the HSK 4 directory.
Official sourceCVC A Level Mandarin: Vocabulary and Grammar Book 1
Mr Fan · UCL IOE Confucius Institute for Schools · 2023
Locator: Page 27, The use of 首先…其次/然后…最后…
Supports using the sequence markers across multiple points, with an optional final point, in one sentence or across paragraphs.
Official source10 / CONTINUE
Continue with a Connected Rule
Compare
时而…时而…时而...时而... (shí'ér...shí'ér)
Compare ordered discourse stages with alternating states or actions.
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除此之外除此之外 (chúcǐ zhīwài)
Add a further point after presenting the first ordered reasons.
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归根到底归根到底 (guīgēn dàodǐ)
Move from ordered supporting points to a final underlying conclusion.
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按照…按照: According to a Basis
Compare ordering the steps of an explanation with naming the basis for a procedure.
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