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先例 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
先例xiānlìantecedentHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #11745, Very Hard
先例xiānlìprecedentHSK 7, unknown, 14 strokes, rank #11745, Very Hard
xiānlì(xian1li4)xian li T1
  1. 1antecedent
  2. 2precedent
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March 24, 2026

先例xiānlì(xian1li4)

先例 (xiānlì) refers to a precedent or an earlier event that serves as an example or guide for similar future instances. It is often used in legal contexts, where past decisions influence current cases, but can also apply in various fields such as business and social practices.

Strokes14Frequency#11745DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The concept of precedent is particularly important in Chinese legal tradition, where historical decisions by officials serve as guiding principles for current law. This reflects the cultural value placed on learning from history.

Memory tip

Think of 先 (xiān) as 'before' and 例 (lì) as 'example'. Imagine a wise elder sharing stories of past events (precedents) to guide the community's decisions today. Visualize a timeline where past events stand as markers for future choices.

Meanings of 先例

xiānlì(xian1li4)
1antecedent
2precedent
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 先例

先例Simplified
14Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

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AI study notes for 先例

Quick Contrast

先例 (xiānlì) vs 先行 (xiānxíng): use 先例 when referring to a precedent that serves as an example, while 先行 emphasizes the act of being ahead or leading in a process.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of using 先例 primarily in formal contexts, such as discussions in law or policy-making. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar terms like 先知 (prophet), which has a different meaning. Remember to maintain the correct tones: 先 (xiān) is first tone and 例 (lì) is fourth tone.

HSK Study Tips

While 先例 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it can enhance comprehension of legal and formal discussions at HSK level 6 and above. Focus on recognizing its usage in sentences and connecting it with related terms like 先 (before) and 例子 (example).

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 先例 with 例子 (lìzi), which means 'example' but lacks the formal nuance of precedent. Remember, 先例 implies a historical reference that influences current actions, not just any example.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 先例

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Component characters

先xiānearly
HSK 36 strokes儿
View full entry
例lìexample
8 strokes亻
View full entry

How to say antecedent in Chinese

“antecedent” in Chinese is先例xiānlì

先例 (xiānlì) refers to a precedent or an earlier event that serves as an example or guide for similar future instances. It is often used in legal contexts, where past decisions influence current cases, but can also apply in various fields such as business and social practices.

When to use 先例

Be mindful of using 先例 primarily in formal contexts, such as discussions in law or policy-making. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar terms like 先知 (prophet), which has a different meaning. Remember to maintain the correct tones: 先 (xiān) is first tone and 例 (lì) is fourth tone.

先例 or something close to it

先例 (xiānlì) vs 先行 (xiānxíng): use 先例 when referring to a precedent that serves as an example, while 先行 emphasizes the act of being ahead or leading in a process.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 先例 with 例子 (lìzi), which means 'example' but lacks the formal nuance of precedent. Remember, 先例 implies a historical reference that influences current actions, not just any example.

Write 先例

先
例

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Frequently asked questions about 先例

You can say, '这个案件没有先例' (This case has no precedent) to indicate that there is no previous example to refer to.

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