lǐngxiān: 领先 - To Lead, To Be in the Lead, Ahead

lǐngxiān: 领先 - To Lead, To Be in the Lead, Ahead

Quick Summary

Keywords: lingxian pinyin, 领先 meaning, how to say 'to lead' in Chinese, ahead in Chinese, Chinese word for leading, in the lead Chinese, 领先 vs 领导, HSK 5 vocabulary, lingxian example sentences.
Summary: Discover the meaning of 领先 (lǐngxiān), the essential Chinese word for “to lead” or “to be ahead” in a competition or field. This guide is perfect for learners who want to understand how to use 领先 in contexts like business, technology, and sports. With clear example sentences and a practical comparison of 领先 vs 领导, you'll learn how to say a company has a technological lead or a team is ahead in a game.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): lǐngxiān
Part of Speech: Verb / Adjective
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: To be in a leading position or ahead of others, typically in a race, competition, or field of development.
In a Nutshell: Think of 领先 (lǐngxiān) as being “out in front.” It describes the state of being ahead of your competitors, whether you're in a marathon, a sales race, or a technological arms race. It's not about being a boss or a manager (that's 领导 - lǐngdǎo); it’s about having a lead in terms of progress, score, or position.

Character Breakdown

领 (lǐng): The original meaning is “neck” or “collar.” From this, it extends to the idea of “to lead” or “to guide,” as if you were leading someone by the collar or being the “head” of a group.
先 (xiān): This character simply means “first,” “before,” or “in advance.” It's one of the first characters learners encounter.
When combined, 领先 (lǐngxiān) literally means “to lead first.” The characters create a clear and powerful image of being in the number one position, ahead of everyone else who follows.

Cultural Context and Significance

In modern China, 领先 (lǐngxiān) is more than just a word; it's a national aspiration. The term is deeply woven into the narrative of China's rapid development and its ambition to become a global leader in areas like artificial intelligence, 5G, and economic influence. You will hear it constantly in news reports and government announcements about achieving technological breakthroughs or surpassing other nations in certain metrics.
While an American might talk about “being number one” with a focus on individual or corporate success, 领先 in China often carries a stronger collective and nationalistic feeling. It's about the company, the city, or the nation as a whole achieving a leading position. This is different from a concept like 关系 (guānxi), which is about personal networks. 领先 is about tangible, measurable, and often competitive progress. It reflects a cultural value placed on collective achievement, national pride, and a relentless drive for progress.

Practical Usage in Modern China

领先 is a versatile and common word used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly formal.
In Business and Technology: This is one of the most common contexts. It's used to describe a company's market position, technological advantage, or product superiority.
- e.g., “我们的技术在行业内领先。” (Our technology leads the industry.)
In Sports: It's the go-to word for sports commentators and fans to describe a team or athlete who is ahead in points or position.
- e.g., “主队目前领先五分。” (The home team is currently leading by five points.)
In General Conversation: You can use it to talk about being ahead in any competitive or progressive situation, like being ahead on a group project or even being the first in a line.
- e.g., “他在这个项目上暂时领先。” (He is temporarily ahead on this project.)
Connotation and Formality: The connotation of 领先 is overwhelmingly positive. It signifies success, advancement, and a superior position. It is used in news reports, business plans, and sports commentary, but is also perfectly normal in everyday conversations about these topics.

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 我们的公司在新技术方面一直领先。
- Pinyin: Wǒmen de gōngsī zài xīn jìshù fāngmiàn yīzhí lǐngxiān.
- English: Our company has always been leading in the field of new technology.
- Analysis: A classic business context. “在…方面” (zài…fāngmiàn) means “in the aspect of…” and is often used with 领先 to specify the area of leadership.
Example 2:
- 比赛还剩十分钟，主队暂时领先一球。
- Pinyin: Bǐsài hái shèng shí fēnzhōng, zhǔduì zànshí lǐngxiān yī qiú.
- English: With ten minutes left in the match, the home team is temporarily leading by one goal.
- Analysis: This shows its use in sports. Note how a specific amount (“一球” - one ball/goal) can follow 领先.
Example 3:
- 凭借这款新产品，我们在市场上取得了领先地位。
- Pinyin: Píngjiè zhè kuǎn xīn chǎnpǐn, wǒmen zài shìchǎng shàng qǔdéle lǐngxiān dìwèi.
- English: By virtue of this new product, we have achieved a leading position in the market.
- Analysis: Here, 领先 acts as an adjective modifying “地位” (dìwèi - position/status) to mean “leading position.”
Example 4:
- 他起跑很快，从一开始就领先。
- Pinyin: Tā qǐpǎo hěn kuài, cóng yī kāishǐ jiù lǐngxiān.
- English: He started off very fast and was in the lead from the very beginning.
- Analysis: This sentence describes a physical race, one of the most literal uses of the word.
Example 5:
- 在人工智能领域，中国希望能够领先世界。
- Pinyin: Zài réngōng zhìnéng lǐngyù, Zhōngguó xīwàng nénggòu lǐngxiān shìjiè.
- English: In the field of artificial intelligence, China hopes to be able to lead the world.
- Analysis: This reflects the cultural significance of the term, connecting it to national goals and global competition.
Example 6:
- 苹果的手机设计理念在当时是遥遥领先的。
- Pinyin: Píngguǒ de shǒujī shèjì lǐniàn zài dāngshí shì yáoyáo lǐngxiān de.
- English: Apple's mobile phone design philosophy was far ahead of its time back then.
- Analysis: “遥遥领先” (yáoyáo lǐngxiān) is a common four-character phrase meaning “to be far ahead” or “to have a commanding lead.”
Example 7:
- 保持领先优势比获得它更难。
- Pinyin: Bǎochí lǐngxiān yōushì bǐ huòdé tā gèng nán.
- English: Maintaining a leading advantage is harder than obtaining it.
- Analysis: Here 领先 is used as an adjective for “优势” (yōushì - advantage). “领先优势” is a very common business and strategy collocation.
Example 8:
- 虽然我们目前领先，但我们不能掉以轻心。
- Pinyin: Suīrán wǒmen mùqián lǐngxiān, dàn wǒmen bùnéng diàoyǐqīngxīn.
- English: Although we are currently in the lead, we cannot let our guard down.
- Analysis: This sentence shows a common sentiment: being in the lead requires continuous effort. “掉以轻心” (diàoyǐqīngxīn) is a useful idiom meaning “to lower one's guard” or “to treat something lightly.”
Example 9:
- 她的研究成果让她在学术界领先于同行。
- Pinyin: Tā de yánjiū chéngguǒ ràng tā zài xuéshùjiè lǐngxiān yú tóngháng.
- English: Her research results put her ahead of her peers in academia.
- Analysis: The structure “领先于 + [someone/something]” means “to be ahead of [someone/something].” This is a key grammar pattern to learn.
Example 10:
- 这家公司以其领先的环保技术而闻名。
- Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yǐ qí lǐngxiān de huánbǎo jìshù ér wénmíng.
- English: This company is famous for its leading environmental technology.
- Analysis: Another example of 领先 used as an adjective. “以…而闻名” (yǐ…ér wénmíng) is a formal structure for “to be famous for…”.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 领先 (lǐngxiān) and 领导 (lǐngdǎo). They both involve “leading,” but in completely different ways.
领先 (lǐngxiān): To be *ahead* in a race, ranking, or field. It describes a state of being in front.
- Correct: 我们的队伍领先三分。(Wǒmen de duìwu lǐngxiān sān fēn.) - Our team is ahead by three points.
- Correct: 这家公司在技术上领先。(Zhè jiā gōngsī zài jìshù shàng lǐngxiān.) - This company is technologically ahead.
领导 (lǐngdǎo): To be a *leader* of people (a boss, manager, political figure). It describes a role of authority. It can be a verb (“to lead people”) or a noun (“a leader”).
- Correct: 他是我们的新领导。(Tā shì wǒmen de xīn lǐngdǎo.) - He is our new leader/boss.
- Correct: 他领导我们完成了这个项目。(Tā lǐngdǎo wǒmen wánchéngle zhège xiàngmù.) - He led us to complete this project.
Common Mistake:
- Incorrect: 他是我的领先。 (Tā shì wǒ de lǐngxiān.)
- Why it's wrong: This translates to “He is my being-ahead.” You cannot be someone's “lead” in this sense. You need to use the word for a person in a leadership role.
- Correct: 他是我的领导。(Tā shì wǒ de lǐngdǎo.)

Related Terms and Concepts

领导 (lǐngdǎo) - To lead (people); a leader/boss. The most important distinction to make with 领先.
落后 (luòhòu) - The direct antonym of 领先. It means “to fall behind,” “to lag,” or “to be backward.”
超越 (chāoyuè) - To surpass or overtake. This is the action one takes to achieve a 领先 position.
先进 (xiānjìn) - Advanced; progressive. A close synonym, especially in technological or ideological contexts. A company with 先进 technology is often 领先.
优势 (yōushì) - Advantage; superiority. Being in a 领先 position gives you an 优势.
第一 (dì yī) - Number one; first place. This is often the result of being 领先 at the end of a competition.
冠军 (guànjūn) - Champion. The title given to the person or team that maintains their 领先 position to win a championship.
杰出 (jiéchū) - Outstanding; remarkable. Describes the quality of a person or achievement that is often 领先.

Table of Contents

lǐngxiān: 领先 - To Lead, To Be in the Lead, Ahead

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts