第一 (dìyī) — first
HSK 1 | ordinal number | the ordinal prefix 第 plus one; first in a sequence
第一 (dìyī)
The ordinal number "first," formed by placing the prefix 第 (dì) before any cardinal number; this pattern applies to all ordinals (第二 = second, 第三 = third, etc.) and is used in sequences, rankings, and lists.
Meanings
- [ordinal number] First, number one in a sequence or ranking.
- [adjective] Primary, most important (第一重要 = of primary importance).
Example Sentences
她是我们班第一名。 Tā shì wǒmen bān dìyī míng. She is first in our class.
这是我第一次来中国。 Zhè shì wǒ dìyī cì lái Zhōngguó. This is my first time coming to China.
安全是第一位的。 Ānquán shì dìyī wèi de. Safety comes first.
第一章介绍了中国的历史。 Dìyī zhāng jièshàole Zhōngguó de lìshǐ. The first chapter introduces Chinese history.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 第一名 (dìyī míng) | first place |
| 第一次 (dìyī cì) | the first time |
| 第一章 (dìyī zhāng) | chapter one |
| 第一步 (dìyī bù) | the first step |
| 排第一 (pái dìyī) | ranked first |
| 第一位 (dìyī wèi) | first priority; first person |
Memory Hook
第 (dì) is the ordinal prefix — think of it as a badge you pin on a number to turn it from a count into a rank. 第一 = badge + one = "the one wearing the first-place badge."