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numeral / ordinal number HSK 2
dì sān
third · number three

Meaning

第三 is the ordinal number 'third' in Chinese. It combines the prefix 第 (dì), which marks ordinal numbers, with 三 (sān), meaning 'three'. This pattern applies to all ordinal numbers in Chinese: 第 + cardinal number.

Usage

第三 is used in formal and informal contexts to indicate position, rank, or sequence. It commonly appears in lists, rankings, dates (third day of the month), grades, and competition results. The pattern 第 + number is the standard way to form ordinal numbers in Chinese.

Examples

  1. 01
    她在比赛中获得第三名。
    Tā zài bǐsài zhōng huòdé dì sān míng.
    She won third place in the competition.
  2. 02
    我们明天上第三节课。
    Wǒmen míngtiān shàng dì sān jié kè.
    We have the third class tomorrow.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 第三名
    dì sān míng
    third place/rank
  • 第三天
    dì sān tiān
    the third day
  • 第三者
    dì sān zhě
    third party; the other woman/man
  • 第三世界
    dì sān shìjiè
    Third World

Origin

第 originally meant 'residence' or 'order' in Classical Chinese, but evolved to become the standard ordinal number prefix in modern Mandarin.

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