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How to Say ‘Food first, then you get the remote back.’ in Traditional Chinese

東西先來，遙控器再還你。

dōng xī xiān lái yáo kòng qì zài hái nǐ

[doong-shee shyen lai yáokòngqì dzai huán nǐ]

💬 Usage Tip: 先…再… (xiān… zài…) means "first… then…": 先吃飯再看電視 "eat first, then watch TV".

Phrase Breakdown

東西先來，

dōng xī xiān lái

Goods first,

先 (xiān) means 'first'. It pairs with 再 (zài, 'then') in the next part.

Example

東西先來，我再付錢。

Goods first, then I'll pay.

Words in this phrase

東西

dōng xī

[doong-shee]

things; stuff

A casual, general word for items or things, often used for gifts in daily speech.

Example

你每次來都帶東西，真的太客氣了。

Every time you come, you bring things; you're really too polite.

先

xiān

[shyen]

first; in advance

Indicates doing something first, before another action. Useful in planning or polite requests.

Example

我先訂位，晚一點再確認人數。

I'll make the reservation first, then confirm the number of people later.

來

lái

[lai]

to come

Often used to invite someone to come over, join, or take part in something.

Example

有空可以來我們攤位看看，也歡迎你來聊聊。

If you have time, you can come check out our booth, and you’re also welcome to come chat.

遙控器再還你。

yáo kòng qì zài hái nǐ

then I'll give the remote back.

再 (zài) means 'then / after that'. 還你 (huán nǐ) means 'return to you'. Here 還 is read huán, not hái.

Example

書明天再還你。

I'll return the book to you tomorrow.

Words in this phrase

遙控器

yáo kòng qì

[yáokòngqì]

remote control

A handheld device for operating a TV from a distance.

Example

遙控器沒電了。

The remote's battery is dead.

再

zài

[dzai]

again; then; later

Often used to say something will happen one more time or at a later point.

Example

你們先休息，我們等一下再說。

You rest first, and we'll talk in a little while.

還

hái

[huán]

to return; give back

To give something back to its owner.

Example

明天還你書。

I'll return your book tomorrow.

你

nǐ

[nǐ]

you

Refers to the person being spoken to.

Example

你今天看起來很高興。

You look happy today.

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