Usage of 次 (cì)
The character 次 is primarily used as a measure word to count occurrences or repetitions of an action, similar to 'times' in English. For example, 三次 means 'three times.' It also functions as an ordinal indicator meaning 'next' or 'second,' often seen in phrases like 下次 (next time) or 第一次 (first time).
Common Collocations
- 一次 (one time): used to indicate a single occurrence.
- 下次 (next time): refers to the following occasion.
- 每次 (every time): indicates each occurrence.
- 第一次 (the first time): ordinal usage.
Notes on Usage
When using 次 as a measure word, it always follows a verb or an action to specify how many times it happened. It is not used to count objects. As an ordinal, it often appears with 第 to form sequences (e.g., 第一次, 第二次).
Avoiding Confusion
Don't confuse 次 with 次序 (order or sequence) or 次要 (secondary). 次 alone focuses on frequency or the notion of 'next' in time or sequence.