第一

dì yī

first

HSK 2

Character Breakdown

Usage of 第一

The word 第一 (dì yī) primarily means "first" in terms of order, rank, or importance. It is commonly used to indicate the top position in competitions, the first item in a sequence, or the highest priority in considerations.

Common contexts

Collocations and patterns

  • 第一 + number + : to indicate ranking or position
  • 第一 + noun: to indicate the first item or step
  • 永远第一 + noun: to emphasize something as the top priority

Notes

第一 is often used in formal and informal contexts. When used in ranking, it usually precedes (míng) to specify the position. It can also emphasize importance, as in 第一考虑 (first priority). Avoid confusing 第一 with ordinal numbers that do not use , such as (one) alone, which is just a cardinal number without the ordinal nuance.

Example Sentences

她在比赛中得了第一。

Tā zài bǐsài zhōng dé le dì yī.

She got first place in the competition.

请在第一行写上你的名字。

Qǐng zài dì yī háng xiě shàng nǐ de míngzì.

Please write your name on the first line.

安全永远是我们的第一考虑。

Ānquán yǒngyuǎn shì wǒmen de dì yī kǎolǜ.

Safety is always our first priority.

他是我们班的第一名学生。

Tā shì wǒmen bān de dì yī míng xuéshēng.

He is the top student in our class.

第一步是了解问题的根源。

Dì yī bù shì liǎojiě wèntí de gēnyuán.

The first step is to understand the root of the problem.