The Syntactic and Semantic Features and Pragmatic Functions of the Adverb “Xian(先)” in the Chinese-Korean Translation Materials

This study analyzes the syntactic and semantic features, as well as the pragmatic functions, of the modern Chinese adverb xian(先) from multiple perspectives and arrives at the following conclusions.<br/> First, xian(先) retains its core meaning of indicating temporal sequence, while also demonstrating extended meanings such as denoting short durations (e.g., “for a moment,” “for the time being”). These semantic shifts are accompanied by changes in syntactic behavior depending on usage frequency and context, suggesting that the meaning and function of xian(先) have gradually weakened and diversified from ancient times to the present.<br/> Second, an analysis of Chinese–Korean translated texts reveals that xian(先) is rendered in Korean as “우선,” “먼저,” “잠깐,” “이만,” and “어서,” with contextual variation in meaning. These findings provide meaningful insights into the differences in temporal conceptualization and discourse strategies between Chinese and Korean.<br/> Finally, from a pragmatic perspective, xian(先) performs a variety of discourse functions—such as signaling, emphasis, politeness, and urging—that significantly contribute to communicative effectiveness.