Ordinal number 第
HSK 2- Other
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
第 is used to turn cardinal numbers into ordinal numbers, e.g. 'một' (one) into 'thứ nhất' (第一, first).
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
Just place 第 (dì) before a cardinal number and you have an ordinal number. It works exactly like the word "thứ" in Vietnamese.
Example: 一 (yī) is "one," but 第一 (dì yī) is "first." 三 (sān) is "three," 第三 (dì sān) is "third."
Note: When used with a noun, a measure word is usually required in between — for example, 第二个苹果 (the second apple), 第三天 (the third day).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 这是我第一次来中国。繁: 這是我第一次來中國。Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì lái Zhōngguó.
This is my first time coming to China.
- 他住在第三层。繁: 他住在第三層。Tā zhù zài dì sān céng.
He lives on the third floor.
- 今天是我们的第二课。繁: 今天是我們的第二課。Jīntiān shì wǒmen de dì èr kè.
Today is our second lesson.
- 第五个人是谁？繁: 第五個人是誰？Dì wǔ gè rén shì shéi?
Who is the fifth person?
- 请第一位同学回答问题。繁: 請第一位同學回答問題。Qǐng dì yī wèi tóngxué huídá wèntí.
Please have the first student answer the question.
Common mistakes
- Wrong:我一次去北京。Correct:我第一次去北京。
To express 'for the first time', use the ordinal structure 第一次. 一次 only means 'one time' or 'once'.
- Wrong:今天是第五月十号。Correct:今天是五月十号。
第 is not used for dates or ages; use cardinal numbers instead.