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先入為主

简先入为主 · 繁先入為主

Mandarin · pinyin xiān rù wéi zhǔ

(idiom) the first impression is the strongest; to hold a preconceived notion (about sth)

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Characters in this entry

先: xiān · first, former, previous
入: rù · enter, come in(to), join
為: Look up this written character
主: zhǔ · master, chief owner; host; lord
为: wèi · do, handle, govern, act; be

Written characters and their own readings; the entry’s pronunciation is shown above.

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Mandarin tones

1–4–2–3 · xian1 ru4 wei2 zhu3

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Read this spelling in Classical texts

Follow a written form into the eight pinned witnesses: Analects, Mencius, Laozi, Zhuangzi, Xunzi, Han Feizi, Sunzi and the Mao Shijing. A match is a place to investigate; it does not prove that a modern dictionary sense fits the passage.

先入為主 · find source passages ↗ · 先入为主 · find source passages ↗

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Compare dictionary sources Wiktionary · 1 sense

Wiktionary English definitions · Chinese section

Independent source senses for this spelling, with usage labels retained. Not matched to the pronunciation above.

phrase

(idiomatic) to be prejudiced by a first impression; to have a preconception

Source page · dump 2026-09-02 · Contributors & history

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