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先锋 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
先锋xiānfēngvanguardHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #14796, Very Hard
先锋xiānfēngpioneerHSK 7, unknown, 18 strokes, rank #14796, Very Hard
xiānfēng(xian1feng1) T1
  1. 1vanguard
  2. 2pioneer
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March 24, 2026

先锋(先鋒)xiānfēng(xian1feng1)

先锋 (xiān fēng) refers to a person or group that is at the forefront of a movement, trend, or field, often leading the way in innovation or exploration. This term is commonly used in contexts such as technology, art, and social change, emphasizing the role of leaders or trailblazers who inspire others to follow.

Strokes18Frequency#14796DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese history, the term 先锋 has been associated with revolutionary leaders and movements, symbolizing the spirit of progress and change. It reflects the value placed on innovation and the role of individuals who challenge the status quo.

Memory Tip

Imagine a brave soldier at the front lines of a battle, leading the charge. The character 先 (xiān) looks like a person walking ahead, while 风 (fēng) resembles the flowing wind that follows, symbolizing how pioneers are guided by their vision and push forward into uncharted territories.

Meanings of 先锋

xiānfēng(xian1feng1)
1vanguard
2pioneer
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About 先锋

先锋Simplified
先鋒Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 先锋

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Podcast: 先锋

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AI Study Notes for 先锋

Quick Contrast

先锋 (xiānfēng) vs 先驱 (xiānqū): use 先锋 when emphasizing leadership in innovation, while 先驱 focuses more on being a precursor or forerunner in a broader sense.

Usage Notes

Be mindful that while 先锋 can denote a leader or innovator, it can also imply a sense of risk or challenge in being the first to venture into new areas. Common collocations include 先锋队 (xiān fēng duì) meaning 'vanguard troop' and 先锋人物 (xiān fēng rén wù) meaning 'pioneering figure'. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts, as it carries a sense of importance.

HSK Study Tips

While this word is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects with other words related to leadership and innovation at higher levels. Focus on understanding the characters' meanings and their usage in various contexts to help expand your vocabulary around similar themes.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 先锋 with similar terms like 领导 (lǐng dǎo), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '他是一个很好的先锋' (tā shì yī gè hěn hǎo de xiān fēng) could be corrected to specify a context, such as '他是科技领域的先锋' (tā shì kējì lǐngyù de xiān fēng) meaning 'He is a pioneer in the field of technology.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 先锋

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Component Characters

先xiānearly
HSK 36 strokes儿
View full entry
锋fēngpoint of a spear
12 strokes钅
View full entry

How to say vanguard in Chinese

“vanguard” in Chinese is先锋xiānfēng

先锋 (xiān fēng) refers to a person or group that is at the forefront of a movement, trend, or field, often leading the way in innovation or exploration. This term is commonly used in contexts such as technology, art, and social change, emphasizing the role of leaders or trailblazers who inspire others to follow.

When to use 先锋

Be mindful that while 先锋 can denote a leader or innovator, it can also imply a sense of risk or challenge in being the first to venture into new areas. Common collocations include 先锋队 (xiān fēng duì) meaning 'vanguard troop' and 先锋人物 (xiān fēng rén wù) meaning 'pioneering figure'. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts, as it carries a sense of importance.

先锋 or something close to it

先锋 (xiānfēng) vs 先驱 (xiānqū): use 先锋 when emphasizing leadership in innovation, while 先驱 focuses more on being a precursor or forerunner in a broader sense.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 先锋 with similar terms like 领导 (lǐng dǎo), mistakenly using them interchangeably. For example, saying '他是一个很好的先锋' (tā shì yī gè hěn hǎo de xiān fēng) could be corrected to specify a context, such as '他是科技领域的先锋' (tā shì kējì lǐngyù de xiān fēng) meaning 'He is a pioneer in the field of technology.'

Write 先锋

先
锋

Practice writing 先锋 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Frequently Asked Questions about 先锋

While 领导 (lǐng dǎo) means 'to lead' in a general sense, 先锋 specifically refers to those who are pioneering or at the forefront of a movement.

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