Sequential complex sentence “先……，再 / 然后……”

In Chinese the pattern “先……，再 / 然后……” (xiān..., zài / ránhòu...) shows the order in which two actions are done.

That is:

先 — the action done first; 再 / 然后 — the action that follows it.

Basic Structure

先 + action 1，再 / 然后 + action 2

First …, then …

Examples

我要先去图书馆借书，然后去游泳

Structure

先去图书馆借书 + 然后去游泳 first go to the library to borrow a book + then go swimming 我要 — I'm going to 先 — first 去图书馆借书 — go to the library to borrow a book 然后 — then 去游泳 — go swimming

你先去买门票，再来这里找我

Structure

先去买门票 + 再来这里找我 first buy the ticket + then come and find me here 你 — you 先 — first 去买门票 — go and buy the ticket 再 — then 来这里找我 — come here and find me

你们先回房间休息一会儿，然后再出来吃晚饭

Structure

先回房间休息一会儿 + 然后再出来吃晚饭 first go back to the room and rest a while + then come out for dinner 你们 — you (plural) 先 — first 回房间 — go back to the room 休息一会儿 — rest for a while 然后再 — then 出来吃晚饭 — come out and have dinner

Quick Rule

先 + action 1，再 / 然后 + action 2

Meaning: two actions are done in sequence — the first one first, the second after it.

Examples:

先去图书馆，然后去游泳

先去买门票，再来这里找我

先回房间休息，然后再出来吃晚饭