第

• Pinyin: dì
• Hanzi breakdown: 第 = 竹 (bamboo) + 弟 (younger brother, phonetic) — ordering, sequence

Meaning

Ordinal prefix; placed before a number to form an ordinal, like first, second, third.

Used to form ordinals: 第一 (first), 第二 (second), 第三 (third), etc. Also used in 第一次 (first time). Cannot be used alone — always followed by a number or a measure word phrase.

Examples

1. 这是我第一次来中国。 This is my first time coming to China.
2. 他是第二个到的。 He was the second one to arrive.
3. 我住在第三楼。 I live on the third floor.

Usage Guide

Context: ordering, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他考了第一名。(He got first place in the exam.)
• 这是我第二次来这里。(This is my second time coming here.)

Don't Say

• 第一的学生 (Don't add 的 after ordinals before nouns — say 第一个学生 or 第一名学生)

Origin & History

Composed of 竹 (bamboo) and 弟 (younger brother, phonetic) — originally related to ordering or sequencing, like bamboo strips arranged in order.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal