# 先声夺人

xiān shēng duó rén

Gain an advantage through a strong opening

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Seize others with the first sound

**Traditional Chinese:** 先聲奪人

**Register:** Strategic · general

[Choices & judgment](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/decisions)

## When to use it

Describe an opening move that establishes momentum.

Initial impact does not guarantee lasting success.

## Understanding the expression

A first sound reaches people before they have formed a settled judgment. The expression describes using that early impression to gain attention, confidence, or an advantage. A team may score immediately; a speaker may open with compelling evidence. It can praise effective presentation or describe intimidation. The decisive feature is the timing of the impact, so a later dramatic comeback would not fit as naturally as a forceful beginning.

## Examples

球队开场进球，先声夺人。

### Traditional Chinese

球隊開場進球，先聲奪人。

qiú duì kāi chǎng jìn qiú ， xiān shēng duó rén 。

The team gained an early advantage by scoring immediately.

她用真实案例先声夺人。

### Traditional Chinese

她用真實案例先聲奪人。

tā yòng zhēn shí àn lì xiān shēng duó rén 。

She captured attention with a real case at the outset.

新品牌靠独特广告先声夺人。

### Traditional Chinese

新品牌靠獨特廣告先聲奪人。

xīn pǐn pái kào dú tè guǎng gào xiān shēng duó rén 。

The new brand made a strong opening impression through distinctive advertising.

辩论中他先声夺人，却没撑到最后。

### Traditional Chinese

辯論中他先聲奪人，卻沒撐到最後。

biàn lùn zhōng tā xiān shēng duó rén ， què méi chēng dào zuì hòu 。

He gained an early debating advantage but could not sustain it.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%85%88%E8%81%B2%E5%A5%AA%E4%BA%BA)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=443&webMd=1&la=0)

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