jat1 maa5 dong1 sin1一馬當先一马当先
Definition
To spearhead; to be the first to do something or to be at the forefront.
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of active initiative and competitive spirit, often used in business or sports contexts to describe someone or something taking the lead. While it implies being the first, it also suggests a level of courage or decisiveness in stepping forward ahead of others. It is more dynamic than simply being first, as it evokes the image of a horse charging ahead of the pack.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply the first in a queue or a chronological sequence, as it specifically highlights the act of leading or spearheading an effort. It is not a neutral way to say first, but rather emphasizes the competitive or pioneering nature of the action.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
