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
In English: first …, then …
Examples
我要先去图书馆借书，然后去游泳。
First I'll go to the library to borrow a book, then I'll go swimming.
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。
Buy the ticket first, then come and find me here.
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。
Go back to your room and rest for a while first, then come out for dinner.
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。
First to the library, then swimming.
先去买门票，再来这里找我。
Buy the ticket first, then come and find me here.
先回房间休息，然后再出来吃晚饭。
Rest in your room first, then come out for dinner.