Sequencing with "xian" and "zai"

先…再… puts two actions in order: first this, then that.

先 + Verb 1，再 + Verb 2

How it works

先洗手，再吃饭 — wash your hands first, then eat. Both adverbs go before their verbs.

然后 is the alternative for the second half and is a touch more neutral; 再 carries a hint of "only then".

For three steps: 先…然后…最后….

xiān xǐ shǒu, zài chī fàn
先洗手，再吃饭。
Wash your hands first, then eat.
wǒ men xiān qù kàn diàn yǐng, zài qù chī fàn
我们先去看电影，再去吃饭。
Let's see a film first and eat afterwards.
nǐ xiān xiǎng xiǎng, zài huí dá
你先想想，再回答。
Think it over before you answer.