measure word / noun HSK 2
time (occurrence) · order · next in sequence · secondary
Meaning
次 is primarily used as a measure word for counting occurrences or instances of actions and events. It can mean 'time' in the sense of 'how many times' something happens. As a noun or bound morpheme, it also conveys meanings related to order, sequence, or being secondary in rank.
Usage
Native speakers use 次 constantly when counting actions: 一次 (once), 两次 (twice), 三次 (three times). It appears after numbers and before or after verbs. In formal contexts, 次 also means 'secondary' or indicates sequential order (第一次 'first time', 次要 'secondary'). Very common in both spoken and written Chinese.
Examples
- 01我去过北京三次。.I have been to Beijing three times.
- 02下次见面的时候告诉我。.Tell me next time we meet.
Common collocations
- 一次once; one time
- 下次next time
- 这次this time
- 上次last time
Antonyms
Origin
The character 次 originally depicted a person (人) stopping or pausing (欠), suggesting a sequence or order of events, which evolved into counting occurrences.