原先
yuánxiān · HSK 5
at first
⏪ 原 = origin/source + 先 = first/earlier → originally, at first
原 means origin or source (think 'original'), and 先 means first or earlier (as in 先生, sir/Mr., literally 'born earlier'). Together: from the origin-first point, i.e. initially or at the start.
原 — cliff 厂 + spring 泉 (white 白 + water 水)
Originally a pictograph showing a spring of water flowing out from beneath a cliff, depicting the source of a stream. From this concrete image of a water source, the meaning extended to 'origin,' 'source,' and 'original.' A separate character 源 was later created with the water radical 氵 to keep the literal 'spring' sense.
先 — 𠂉 (person variant) on top + 儿 (legs) below
先 originally depicted a person with a foot or step shown above the legs 儿, suggesting someone walking ahead. From this image of going before others came the meanings 'first,' 'earlier,' and 'ahead.' The modern shape preserves the 'legs' radical underneath.