HSK 2
第 # M N
dì # M N
#-th N
Structure
第 (dì) + Number + Measure Word + Noun
How it works
To form ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) in Chinese, the prefix 第 (dì) is placed before a number. It is typically followed by a measure word and a noun to specify a particular item in a sequence.
Examples
这是我第一次来中国。
Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì lái Zhōngguó.
This is the first time I have come to China.
我不喜欢第二件衣服。
Wǒ bù xǐhuān dì èr jiàn yīfu.
I don't like the second piece of clothing.
他住在第三层。
Tā zhù zài dì sān céng.
He lives on the third floor.
Common mistakes
Forgetting to include the measure word (e.g., saying '第一书' instead of '第一本书') when referring to specific nouns.
Tip
When referring to 'the first day of the month' (1st) or 'Monday', Chinese uses specific vocabulary (1号/星期一) rather than the 第 structure.
More HSK 2 grammar
See 第 # M N in real Chinese
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