Meaning of 第二
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- second
- number two
- next
- secondary
How to use 第二
第二 is used before a measure word and noun to mean "the second" of something, and it can also mean "next" in phrases like 第二天 (dì-èr tiān, the next day). Example: 我是第二个到的。(Wǒ shì dì-èr gè dào de.) I was the second one to arrive.
第 (dì) is the prefix that turns a number into an order, and 二 (èr) is two simple strokes for the number two. Put them together and you get "the second one" in line.
Common mistake: Learners often say 第两 (dì liǎng) because 两 is used before measure words, but ordinals always use 二, so it must be 第二. Also do not drop the measure word: say 第二个人, not 第二人, in everyday speech.
第二 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
第 dì · prefix indicating ordinal number · 11 strokes
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
- 9
- 10
- 11
二 èr · two · 2 strokes
- 1
- 2
Related words
Words that share a character with 第二.
| 二手 | èrshǒu | indirectly acquired; second-hand (information, equipment etc) |
| 二维码 | èrwéimǎ | 2D barcode; matrix code; (esp.) QR code |
| 独一无二 | dúyī-wú'èr | (idiom) unique; unmatched; unrivalled |
| 二氧化碳 | èryǎnghuàtàn | carbon dioxide CO2 |
| 一干二净 | yīgān-èrjìng | thoroughly (idiom); completely |
| 第一手 | dìyīshǒu | first-hand |
| 二手车 | èrshǒuchē | second-hand car |
| 接二连三 | jiē'èr-liánsān | (idiom) one after another; in quick succession |
| 第一线 | dìyīxiàn | front line; forefront |
| 第一次 | dìyīcì | the first time; for the first time |
| 第一 | dìyī | first; most important; primary; foremost |
| 第二次 | dì'èrcì | the second time; the second occurrence |
Questions about 第二
What does 第二 mean?
第二 (dì-èr) means "second; number two" and is used as a numeral.
How do you write 第二?
第二 is made of 2 characters: 第 (11 strokes), 二 (2 strokes). That is 13 strokes in total.
Is 第二 an HSK word?
Yes. 第二 is on the HSK 1 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 二 and 第二?
二 (èr) is just the number two, while 第二 (dì-èr) means second in an order. 二楼 (èr lóu) is the second floor as a name, and 第二次 (dì-èr cì) is the second time.
Does 第二天 mean "the second day" or "the next day"?
It can mean either, but in stories it most often means "the next day" after an event. For example, 第二天他走了 (dì-èr tiān tā zǒu le) means "He left the next day."