第 + Number (ordinal numbers)

• Pinyin: dì
• Formation: 第 + Number + (Measure Word) + Noun
• Hanzi breakdown: 第 = ⺮ (bamboo) + 弟 (younger brother)

Meaning

Place 第 (dì) before a number to create an ordinal number, similar to adding '-st,' '-nd,' '-rd,' or '-th' in English. The resulting ordinal can be followed by a measure word and noun, such as 第一个人 (the first person) or 第三课 (lesson three).

Unlike English, where ordinal suffixes change depending on the number, Chinese uses the single prefix 第 consistently for all ordinals. When followed by a noun, a measure word is usually required between the ordinal number and the noun: 第二杯咖啡 (the second cup of coffee). However, some fixed expressions omit the measure word, particularly with 次 (time/occasion): 第一次 (the first time). Note that 第 is not used with floor numbers in buildings (say 五楼, not 第五楼) or when stating months (say 三月, not 第三月). For 'first,' both 第一 and 头一 exist, but 第一 is far more standard.

Examples

1. 她是我们班第一名。 She ranked first in our class.
2. 这是我第三次来北京了。 This is my third time coming to Beijing.
3. 请翻到第十五页。 Please turn to page fifteen.

Usage Guide

Context: spoken, written, everyday

Tone: descriptive

Do Say

• 我是第一个到教室的。
• 这是她第二次参加马拉松比赛。
• 他们住在第六层，坐电梯上去吧。

Don't Say

• 今天是第三月第十五号。(第 is not used with months or dates — months and dates use plain numbers: 三月十五号) → 今天是三月十五号。
• 我住在第五楼。(Floor numbers in buildings do not use 第 — simply say 五楼) → 我住在五楼。

Origin & History

The character 第 originally meant 'order' or 'sequence' in classical Chinese, derived from the bamboo radical (indicating bamboo slips used for record-keeping) and 弟 (younger brother, implying a ranking order among siblings).

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal