第

Ordinal Prefix

Level 2Sounds Like dai6

Attach 第 (dai6) directly before a number to make ordinal numbers like 'first' (第一) or 'second' (第二). To describe 'the Nth noun', follow the structure: 第 + Number + Classifier + Noun (e.g., 第三本書 'the third book').

How It Works

The particle 第 (dai6) is the primary ordinal prefix in Cantonese. It allows you to transform standard cardinal numbers into rankings, sequences, or ordered positions.

Structure & Usage Rules:

1. Standalone Ordinals and Ranking:
Place 第 (dai6) directly in front of any numeral:
• 第一 (dai6 jat1) — First / Number One
• 第二 (dai6 ji6) — Second / Number Two
• 第十 (dai6 sap6) — Tenth

2. Modifying Standard Nouns:
When identifying a specific ranked item in a sequence, you must include a matching classifier between the ordinal number and the noun:
• 第 + Number + Classifier + Noun
• 第二本書 (dai6 ji6 bun2 syu1) = 'the second book'
• 第五個人 (dai6 ng5 go3 jan4) = 'the fifth person'

3. Measure Nouns and Inherent Units:
Nouns that serve directly as classifiers or units of measurement—such as 次 (ci3 'time'), 日 (jat6 'day'), 名 (ming4 'rank'), or 層 (cang4 'floor')—do not take an additional classifier:
• 第三次 (dai6 saam1 ci3) = 'the third time'
• 第一名 (dai6 jat1 ming4) = 'first place'

4. Crucial Morphological Distinction (二 vs. 兩):
While 兩 (loeng5) is used when counting two items before a classifier (e.g., 兩個盒 loeng5 go3 hap6 'two boxes'), ordinal positions strictly require 二 (ji6). Saying 第兩 (dai6 loeng5) is grammatically incorrect.

5. Determiner Function ('Another / Other') as a Spoken Contraction:
When 第 (dai6) attaches directly to a classifier or time noun without an explicit numeral, it expresses 'another', 'other', or 'future'. This usage is a spoken contraction of 第二 (dai6 ji6 'second/other'):
• 第個 (dai6 go3) = 'another one' / 'another person' (shortened from 第二個 dai6 ji6 go3)
• 第日 (dai6 jat6) = 'another day' / 'some day in the future' (shortened from 第二日 dai6 ji6 jat6)
• 第啲 (dai6 di1) = 'other items'
• 第度 (dai6 dou6) = 'another place'

6. Contexts Where 第 is Omitted:
Although 第 is the main ordinal prefix, Cantonese drops it in several specific situations:
• Calendar dates: 5號 (ng5 hou6, the 5th) rather than *第五號.
• Floors and rooms: 三樓 (saam1 lau2, 3rd floor) or 502號房 (ng5 ling4 ji6 hou6 fong2, Room 502).
• Sibling order: 大哥 (daai6 go1, eldest brother), 二哥 (ji6 go1, second brother), 三姐 (saam1 ze2, third sister).

Examples (4)

  1. 呢個係我第三次嚟香港。

    This is my third time coming to Hong Kong.

    Word by Word: This one is I third time come Hong Kong.

    次 (ci3) is a unit noun for 'times', so no additional classifier is needed after 第三 (dai6 saam1).

  2. 佢喺考試中攞第一名。

    She got first place in the exam.

    Word by Word: She in exam in get first rank.

    名 (ming4) is a unit noun for 'rank/place', attaching directly to 第一 (dai6 jat1).

  3. 我想睇第二本書。

    I want to read the second book.

    Word by Word: I want read second classifier book.

    General noun 本書 (bun2 syu1) requires its classifier 本 (bun2) between 第二 (dai6 ji6) and the noun.

  4. 我哋第日再傾啦。

    Let's talk again another day.

    Word by Word: We another day again talk SFP.

    When 第 (dai6) directly precedes 日 (jat6) without a numeral, it changes meaning to 'another day' or 'in the future'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 兩 (loeng5) instead of 二 (ji6) for ordinal 'second'.

    呢個係我第兩次嚟。
    呢個係我第二次嚟。

    While 兩 (loeng5) is used for counting quantities before classifiers, ordinal rankings strictly require 二 (ji6). 'Second' is always 第二 (dai6 ji6).

  • Omitting the classifier when modifying a general noun.

    我想買第三書。
    我想買第三本書。

    Unless the noun itself is a unit noun (like 次 ci3 or 日 jat6), you must place the matching classifier (e.g., 本 bun2) between the ordinal number and the noun.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

第Level 2Ordinal Prefix

Learn This First

To use the ordinal prefix 第 (dai6), you must first be familiar with basic Cantonese numbers and the 'Number + Classifier + Noun' structure, as the ordinal prefix simply attaches to the front of these existing numerical phrases.

Words in This Pattern

第