sin1 hang4先行
Jyutpingsin1 hang4
Yalesīn hàhng
Definition
Beforehand; in advance.
neutraldaily actionswork
How it's used
先行 carries a slightly formal or professional tone compared to the more common spoken expression 預先. It is frequently used in business settings, official announcements, or when describing procedural requirements. Using it in casual conversation can make you sound a bit stiff or overly serious.
Examples
Remember to notify him beforehand.
Do we need to buy tickets in advance?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 優先, which means to prioritize or give preference to something. While 先行 focuses on the timing of an action, 優先 focuses on the importance or sequence of choices.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
