第一 (dìyī) · first

第一 (dìyī) means “first; number one”. It is written with 2 characters: 第 (ordinal prefix (first, second…)) + 一 (one). It is an old HSK 2 word (HSK 2.0).

How 第一 is built

The characters

第 dì · ordinal prefix (first, second…)

What 第 is made of

⺮zhú — bamboo
弟dì — young brother

Origin hint: Bamboo strips ⺮ arrayed in sequence; 弟 provides the pronunciation (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

一 yī · one

What 一 is made of

一 is not built from smaller parts; it is written with 1 strokes.

Origin hint: Represents heaven (天), earth (旦), or the number 1 (from the Make Me a Hanzi dataset; treat as a memory aid where history is uncertain)

Example sentences

他考了第一。Tā kǎo le dì yī.He came first in the exam.

这是你第一次来中国吗？Zhè shì nǐ dì yī cì lái Zhōngguó ma?Is this your first time in China?

Questions about 第一

What does 第一 mean?

第一 (dìyī) means “first; number one”.

How do you pronounce 第一?

第一 is pronounced dìyī.

Which HSK level is 第一?

第一 is in Old HSK 2.

Related words

Learn 第一 with its group

It is part of Old HSK 2 · Group 3: a short group with quick checks and spaced repeats.

Open the group