Spanish Phrase
¿Quién sale primero?
Meaning
Literally “Who leaves first?” It is used to ask which person will be the first to exit a place, start a task, or take a turn. The question can be about a physical departure or a figurative “first move” in a game or activity.
When to use
Use this phrase when a group needs to decide the order of departure, when starting a race, or when you want to know who will act first in a collaborative situation. It works in both casual and semi‑formal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
¿Quiénsaleprimero?
¿Quién (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask about a person; always carries an accent on the í to differentiate it from the relative pronoun "quien".
sale (present of salir)
Third‑person singular present indicative of "salir" (to leave/go out). It agrees with the implied subject "él/ella/usted".
primero (adverb)
Functions as an adverb meaning “first” and does not change form for gender or number.
🗨In Conversation
¿Quién sale primero?
Who goes first?
Yo, si quieres, puedo abrir la puerta.
Me, if you like, I can open the door.
✕Common Mistakes
¿quien sale primero?
Missing the accent changes the meaning to the relative pronoun "quien" (who/whom) and makes the question grammatically incorrect.
¿Quién primero sale?
Learners sometimes forget the adverbial nature of "primero" and place it before the verb, which sounds unnatural.
¿Quiénes sale primero?
Using "sale" for a plural subject is wrong; you would need "salen" if you were asking about a group.
↔Alternatives
¿Quién va primero?
Who goes first?
¿Quién es el primero en salir?
Who is the first one to leave?
¿Quién sale antes?
Who leaves earlier?
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries, deciding who goes first is often done politely by asking the group, rather than imposing an order. In formal settings (e.g., meetings), the senior person may be expected to go first, so be aware of the context. Also, note that “salir” can refer to both leaving a room and going out socially, so the surrounding conversation clarifies the meaning.