Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Firstly, first of all: Used to indicate the first point in a sequence, the initial step, or the primary consideration.
   • At first, initially: Used to describe the beginning state or condition of something, often before a change occurs.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Thoạt tiên, tôi muốn cảm ơn tất cả mọi người đã có mặt ở đây. (First of all, I want to thank everyone for being here.)
  • Thoạt tiên, cô ấy có vẻ rất nghiêm túc, nhưng thực ra cô ấy rất vui tính. (At first, she seemed very serious, but actually she is very funny.)
  • Anh ấy thoạt tiên định từ chối, nhưng sau đó đã đồng ý giúp đỡ. (He initially intended to refuse, but then agreed to help.)

Advanced Usage

• "Thoạt tiên nhìn" / "Thoạt tiên thấy": At first glance/sight.
  • Thoạt tiên nhìn, căn nhà có vẻ cũ kỹ, nhưng bên trong rất khang trang. (At first glance, the house looks old, but inside it is very spacious.)
• Used to structure arguments or instructions, emphasizing the logical or chronological first point.
  • Để giải bài toán này, thoạt tiên các em cần phân tích đề bài. (To solve this problem, first of all you need to analyze the question.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thoạt đầu (adv): Synonymous with "thoạt tiên," meaning at first, initially.
  • Thoạt đầu dự án gặp nhiều khó khăn. (Initially, the project faced many difficulties.)
• Thoạt kỳ thủy (adv, literary): From the very beginning, originally. This is a more formal or literary variant.
  • Thoạt kỳ thủy, vùng đất này là một khu rừng nguyên sinh. (Originally, this land was a primeval forest.)
• Đầu tiên (adj/adv): First. Can function as an adjective or adverb.
  • Bước đầu tiên là thu thập thông tin. (The first step is to collect information.)

Synonyms

• Trước hết (adv): First of all, firstly.
• Lúc đầu (adv): At the beginning, at first.
• Ban đầu (adv): Initially, at the outset.

Notes on Meaning and Usage

• "Thoạt tiên" vs. "Đầu tiên": While both can mean "first," "thoạt tiên" is primarily an adverb used to describe the initial state or to introduce the first point. "Đầu tiên" can be an adjective ("người đầu tiên" - the first person) or an adverb, and is more common in everyday sequencing.
• Temporal vs. Sequential: "Thoạt tiên" often carries a slight nuance of a temporary initial state that may change, especially when contrasting with what follows. When used to list points, it is equivalent to "firstly."
• Formality: "Thoạt tiên" is standard in both spoken and written Vietnamese. "Thoạt kỳ thủy" is more formal or literary.

adv

1. firstly, first of all, at first