Chinese Grammar Bank
HOW TO USE 第 IN CHINESE
In Chinese, ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) are formed by adding the character “第” (dì) before a number.
This is similar to the English suffixes “-st,” “-nd,” “-rd,” and “-th” used to indicate the order or rank of something.
BASIC STRUCTURE
To form ordinal numbers in Chinese, you simply put “第” (dì) in front of the corresponding cardinal number:
PATTERN
第 + [Number]
Examples:
First: 第一 (dì yī)
Second: 第二 (dì èr)
Third: 第三 (dì sān)
Fourth: 第四 (dì sì)
Fifth: 第五 (dì wǔ)
MEANING OF 第
The character 第 is specifically used to mark the sequence of objects, people, or events.
It transforms a number into its ordinal form, indicating order or rank.
| 第一次 | dì yī cì | The first time |
| 第六次 | dì liù cì | The sixth time |
| 第一名 | dì yī míng | The first place |
SENTENCE EXAMPLES
| 我是第一个到达的人。 | Wǒ shì dì yī gè dàodá de rén. | I am the first person to arrive. |
| 这是我第二次去北京。 | Zhè shì wǒ dì èr cì qù Běijīng. | This is my second time going to Beijing. |
| 我喜欢这部电影的第三部分。 | Wǒ xǐhuān zhè bù diànyǐng de dì sān bùfèn. | I like the third part of this movie. |
OMISSIONS
In some contexts, “第” can be omitted, while it is essential to include it in others.
Contexts Where “第” Can Be Omitted
School grades and building floors are the exceptions where “第” can be omitted.
| Chinese | Context | Example |
|---|---|---|
| 年级 niánjí | school grade | 一年级 yī niánjí |
| 楼 lóu | floor (of a building) | 七楼 qī lóu |
| 层 céng | floor (of a building) | 一层 yī céng |
NOTE || While it’s common to omit the “第” in these contexts, it’s still correct to use it and it doesn’t change the meaning.
Contexts Where “第” Must Be Included
Generally, other than the exceptions above, “第” must be included to form correct ordinal expressions.
Here is a list of examples. This list is non-exhaustive.
| Ranking in a Competition | 第一名 (dì yī míng) | First place |
| Chapter in a Book | 第一章 (dì yī zhāng) | Chapter one |
| Regulations | 第三条规定 (dì sān tiáo guīdìng) | The third regulation |
| Sequential Steps | 第五步 (dì wǔ bù) | The fifth step |
NOTE || In these contexts, “第” must be included because the phrase’s meaning changes without it.
When talking about school grades and building floors, it’s correct to form ordinal expressions with or without “第”, whereas in most other cases “第” must be included to form correct ordinal expressions.
Therefore, when in doubt, always include “第” to avoid mistakes.
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FAQs
What does 第 mean in Chinese?
第 is a prefix meaning “ordinal,” used to indicate order or ranking, like “first,” “second,” “third,” etc.
How do you form ordinal numbers with 第?
To form ordinal numbers, place 第 before the number, as in 第一 (dì yī, “first”) or 第三 (dì sān, “third”).
Can 第 be used with numbers and characters?
Yes, 第 can be used with Arabic numerals (like 第2) and Chinese numerals (like 第二).
Is 第 only used for numbers?
Primarily, 第 is used for ordinal numbers, but it can also indicate sequence in a series, such as 第一步 (dì yī bù, “the first step”).
What’s the difference between 第 and 个?
第 specifically marks order or ranking, while 个 is a general measure word for counting items without specifying order.
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