How is 先后 pronounced?

先后 is pronounced “xiān hòu” in pinyin.

What HSK level is 先后?

先后 belongs to HSK 5 in the HSK 3.0 vocabulary.

HSK 5adverb

先后

Traditional: 先後

xiān hòu

先后 (xiān hòu) means “early or late; priority; in succession; one after another”. It is an HSK 5 Chinese word (traditional 先後) in the HSK 3.0 vocabulary.

How to write 先后

Practice each character:

先后

Example

他们先后到达了目的地。

Tāmen xiānhòu dàodá le mùdìdì.

They arrived at the destination one after another.

More HSK 5 vocabulary

HSK 5 →

哎āihey!; (interjection used to attract attention or to express surprise or disapprobation)唉āiinterjection or grunt of agreement or recognition (e.g. yes, it's me!); to sigh 爱护ài hùto cherish; to treasure; to take care of; to love and protect 爱惜ài xīto cherish; to treasure; to use sparingly 爱心ài xīncompassion; kindness; care for others; love; charity (bazaar, golf day etc); heart (the symbol ♥)安慰ān wèito comfort; to console 安装ān zhuāngto install; to erect; to fix; to mount; installation 岸ànvariant of 岸暗ànvariant of 暗熬夜áo yèto stay up late or all night 把握bǎ wòto grasp (also fig.); to seize; to hold; assurance; certainty; sure (of the outcome)摆bǎito arrange; to exhibit; to move to and fro; a pendulum

Frequently asked questions

What does 先后 mean?: 先后 (xiān hòu) means “early or late; priority; in succession; one after another”. It is an HSK 5 word.
How is 先后 pronounced?: 先后 is pronounced “xiān hòu” in pinyin.
What HSK level is 先后?: 先后 belongs to HSK 5 in the HSK 3.0 vocabulary.

Updated: 2026-07-18