第 (di) — ordinal numbers — HSK 2

第 (dì) + Number (+ Measure Word)

第 (dì) — ordinal numbers

HSK 2Numbers and Measure Words

第 (dì) + Number (+ Measure Word)

HSK 2Numbers and Measure Words

第 (dì) — ordinal numbers

Rule structure

第 (dì) turns a number into an ordinal number. It is used to indicate position in a sequence, such as the number of a stage, lesson, day, chapter, or another ordered item.

Rule structure

第 (dì) turns a number into an ordinal number. It is used to indicate position in a sequence, such as the number of a stage, lesson, day, chapter, or another ordered item.

Examples

我第一次坐飞机。

Wǒ dì yī cì zuò fēijī.

I take a plane for the first time.

我今天是第一天上班。

Wǒ jīntiān shì dìyītiān shàngbān.

Today is my first day at work.

这是我第一次来中国。

Zhè shì wǒ dìyīcì lái Zhōngguó.

This is my first time coming to China.

Examples

我第一次坐飞机。

Wǒ dì yī cì zuò fēijī.

I take a plane for the first time.

我今天是第一天上班。

Wǒ jīntiān shì dìyītiān shàngbān.

Today is my first day at work.

这是我第一次来中国。

Zhè shì wǒ dìyīcì lái Zhōngguó.

This is my first time coming to China.

Practice

Build the sentence

Drag the characters to put them in the correct order

Characters

Words from this rule

第

dì

Ordinal number prefix

我

wǒ

I, me

第一

dì yī

First

次

cì

Time (classifier for events, actions); next

坐

zuò

To sit, to take (transportation)

飞机

fēijī

Airplane

今天

jīn tiān

Today

是

shì

To be, yes

天

tiān

Day; sky

上班

shàng bān

To go to work, to start work shift

这

zhè

This

来

lái

To come

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “ordinal numbers” in Chinese with 第?

Use the structure: 第 (dì) + Number (+ Measure Word). For example: 我第一次坐飞机。 — “I take a plane for the first time”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我第一次坐飞机。 — “I take a plane for the first time”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.

Tomyo

Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews

Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.

Download the app

More HSK 2 grammar rules

每 — every with measure words

每 (měi) + Measure Word (+ Noun)

本 — measure words for counting

Number + Measure Word + Noun

几 — several, a few

几 (jǐ) + Measure Word + Noun

这 / 那 — this and that with measure words

这 (zhè) / 那 (nà) + Measure Word (+ Noun)

了 — already done

Subj. + Verb Phrase + 了 (le)

最 — superlative “most”

最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))

到 — direction with “to go to”

到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)

虽然 — although… but…

虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯