HSK 4 grammar · new HSK syllabus
首先…其次…最后: firstly, secondly, finally
Use 首先, 其次 and 最后 to order points or steps, especially in essays and speaking.
Structure
- 首先…，其次…，最后…
- 首先…，然后…
How it works
首先 (first), 其次 (second) and 最后 (finally) organise a list of points. They are very useful in HSK 4–6 essays and speaking answers.
For steps in time, use 首先…然后…最后….
此外 and 另外 add a further point.
Examples
-
首先，我们要了解自己的兴趣。
Shǒuxiān, wǒmen yào liǎojiě zìjǐ de xìngqù.
First, we need to understand our own interests.
-
申请签证首先要填表，然后交材料。
Shēnqǐng qiānzhèng shǒuxiān yào tián biǎo, ránhòu jiāo cáiliào.
To apply for a visa, first fill in the form, then submit the documents.
-
首先是价格，其次是质量。
Shǒuxiān shì jiàgé, qícì shì zhìliàng.
First comes price, then quality.
-
最后，我想感谢大家的帮助。
Zuìhòu, wǒ xiǎng gǎnxiè dàjiā de bāngzhù.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone for their help.
-
另外，你还需要带一张照片。
Lìngwài, nǐ hái xūyào dài yì Zhāng zhàopiàn.
You also need to bring a photo.
Words in these examples (32)
| 首先 | shǒuxiān | first of all | HSK 4 |
| 我们 | wǒmen | we; us | HSK 1 |
| 要 | yào | to want; will; should | HSK 1 |
| 了解 | liǎojiě | to understand; to find out | HSK 3 |
| 自己 | zìjǐ | oneself | HSK 2 |
| 的 | de | (particle linking a describer to a noun, like "'s") | HSK 1 |
| 兴趣 | xìngqù | interest | HSK 3 |
| 申请 | shēnqǐng | to apply; application | HSK 4 |
| 签证 | qiānzhèng | visa | HSK 4 |
| 填 | tián | to fill or stuff; (of a form etc) to fill in | HSK 5 |
| 表 | biǎo | form; table; watch | HSK 4 |
| 然后 | ránhòu | then; after that | HSK 3 |
| 交 | jiāo | to hand in; to pay; to make (friends) | HSK 4 |
| 材料 | cáiliào | materials; documents | HSK 4 |
| 是 | shì | to be (am, is, are); yes | HSK 1 |
| 价格 | jiàgé | price | HSK 4 |
| 其次 | qícì | second; next | HSK 4 |
| 质量 | zhìliàng | quality | HSK 4 |
| 最后 | zuìhòu | last; finally | HSK 3 |
| 我 | wǒ | I; me | HSK 1 |
| 想 | xiǎng | to want to; to think; to miss | HSK 1 |
| 感谢 | gǎnxiè | to thank | HSK 4 |
| 大家 | dàjiā | everyone | HSK 1 |
| 帮助 | bāngzhù | to help; help | HSK 3 |
| 另外 | lìngwài | in addition; another | HSK 4 |
| 你 | nǐ | you | HSK 1 |
| 还 | hái | still; also | HSK 1 |
| 需要 | xūyào | to need; need | HSK 3 |
| 带 | dài | to bring; to take along | HSK 3 |
| 一 | yī | one | HSK 1 |
| 张 | zhāng | (measure word for flat things: paper, tables, tickets); to open | HSK 3 |
| 照片 | zhàopiàn | photo | HSK 3 |
Common mistakes
-
✗第一，其次，最后
✓首先，其次，最后
首先 pairs naturally with 其次.
-
✗最后，首先…
✓首先…，最后…
Keep the order.
Check yourself
Choose the word that fills the gap.
1. ，我们来看第一个问题。
2. 首先要准备材料， 去使馆。
3. ，祝大家新年快乐！