Meaning
nth; number (of times); order; sequence; next; second(ary)
Chinese: 次序、次数。
Hear the Four Tones
The same syllable “ci” becomes a different word in each tone. 次 is the 4th tone. Tap any tone to hear a native voice and see its pitch shape.
Stroke Order
Tap Animate to watch the strokes in order, or Practice to trace it yourself.
Common Words
- 下次xià cìnext time
- 上次shàng cìlast time
- 其次qí cìnext; secondly
- 再次zài cìonce more; once again
- 多次duō cìmany times; repeatedly
Example Sentence
这是我第一次来中国。Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì lái Zhōng guó.This is my first time coming to China.
这Zhèthis是shìis我wǒI第一次dì yī cìthe first time来láito come中国Zhōng guóChina。
Go deeper
Where this character comes from
冫 (here a breath) plus 欠 (to exhale/lack): in order, one after another — ‘order, sequence; a time/occasion (measure word: 一次); second, next; inferior’ (次序, 这次, 次品).
A way to remember it
In sequence — a time (一次); next; second-rate.