Table of Contents
Put 第 before a number to express order: 第一 means “first”, and 第一次 means “the first time”.
Numbers tell us how many things there are. Ordinal numbers tell us their position in an order: first, second or third. Mandarin makes this distinction with one useful character, 第 (dì). Once you know where the measure word goes, you can talk about your first lesson, second visit or third cup of tea.
Add 第 Before a Number
第一次: the first time an event happens.
The basic pattern is simple:
第 + number
第一 (dì-yī) means “first”, 第二 (dì-èr) means “second”, and 第三 (dì-sān) means “third”. Unlike the number two in quantities, ordinal numbers normally use 二 (èr), so say 第二, not 第两.
To describe an occurrence, add the measure word 次 (cì):
这是我第一次来中国。
Zhè shì wǒ dì-yī cì lái Zhōngguó.
This is my first time coming to China.
她第二次考试通过了。
Tā dì-èr cì kǎoshì tōngguò le.
She passed the exam on her second attempt.
Do not drop 次 from 第一次. 第一 gives the position, while 次 counts how many times an action happens.
Keep the Measure Word Before a Noun
第一本书: the first book in an order.
When you add a noun, use the same measure word that you would use when counting it:
第 + number + measure word + noun
第一个学生 (dì-yī ge xuésheng) means “the first student”. 第一本书 (dì-yī běn shū) means “the first book”. 第三杯咖啡 (dì-sān bēi kāfēi) means “the third cup of coffee”.
Compare quantity and order:
三个学生 (sān ge xuésheng) means “three students”.
第三个学生 (dì-sān ge xuésheng) means “the third student”.
That small 第 changes the meaning from a total to a position.
When Chinese Leaves Out the Measure Word
Ordinal numbers are common in lessons, floors and competitions.
Some expressions behave like names or labels, so they often do not need a measure word. Common examples include 第一课 (dì-yī kè, Lesson One), 第二章 (dì-èr zhāng, Chapter Two), 三楼 (sān lóu, the third floor) and 第一名 (dì-yī míng, first place).
Floors are a useful exception. Chinese usually says 一楼、二楼、三楼 rather than 第一楼、第二楼、第三楼. In mainland China, 一楼 is the ground floor; British learners should remember that this differs from UK floor numbering.
Chinese dates use numbers without 第: 五月一日 means 1 May. 第 appears when you are describing order, not simply reading a calendar date.
Useful Chinese Words and Phrases
- 第一次the first time
- 第二次the second time
- 第一个the first one
- 第一课Lesson One; the first lesson
- 第一名first place
A Short Everyday Conversation
A: 这是你第一次学汉语吗？
Zhè shì nǐ dì-yī cì xué Hànyǔ ma?
Is this your first time learning Chinese?
B: 不是，这是我第二次学。
Bú shì, zhè shì wǒ dì-èr cì xué.
No, this is my second time learning it.
A: 那我们从第一课开始吧。
Nà wǒmen cóng dì-yī kè kāishǐ ba.
Then let’s begin with Lesson One.
Final Takeaway
Add 第 before a number to show order. Keep the appropriate measure word before an ordinary noun, and remember 第一次 as a complete chunk for “the first time”.