第一 (dì yī) — Chinese Word

numeral / noun HSK 1

dì yī

first · number one · primary

Meaning

第一 means 'first' or 'number one' in sequential order or ranking. It combines 第 (prefix for ordinal numbers) with 一 (one) to form the ordinal 'first.' It's used both to indicate position in a sequence and to express being the best or most important.

Usage

Native speakers use 第一 in formal and informal contexts for rankings, order, and priority. It commonly appears in phrases like 第一名 (first place), 第一次 (first time), and 第一步 (first step). When emphasizing superiority, it can mean 'number one' or 'the best.'

Examples

01
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.
02
她在比赛中得了第一名。
Tā zài bǐsài zhōng dé le dì yī míng.
She won first place in the competition.

Characters

Common collocations

第一名
dì yī míng
first place
第一次
dì yī cì
first time
第一步
dì yī bù
first step
第一印象
dì yī yìn xiàng
first impression

Antonyms

最后zuì hòulast, final

Origin

第 originally meant 'sequence' or 'order' in Classical Chinese, derived from contexts of ranking residences or examination results. Combined with numerals, it creates ordinal numbers.