díyī: 第一 - First, Number One, Primary

• Keywords: 第一, di yi, Chinese for first, number one in Chinese, how to say first, ordinal numbers Chinese, Chinese ranking, di yi meaning, what does di yi mean, HSK 1
• Summary: Learn how to use “第一 (dì yī),” one of the most fundamental and useful words in Mandarin Chinese. Meaning “first” or “number one,” this term is essential for everything from counting and sequencing (the first day, the first step) to expressing priority (quality first) and celebrating achievement (winning first place). This guide breaks down its simple structure, cultural significance in competitive Chinese society, and provides practical examples to help you use it correctly and confidently.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): dì yī
• Part of Speech: Ordinal Number, Adjective, Adverb
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: It indicates the first position in a sequence, the highest rank, or the primary in importance.
• In a Nutshell: “第一 (dì yī)” is your go-to word for “first.” The magic lies in the character “第 (dì),” which acts as a prefix that turns a regular number like “一 (yī)” (one) into an ordered number, “第一” (the first). You'll use it to talk about your first time doing something, the first day of the month, the first step in a recipe, or being number one in a competition. It’s simple, direct, and incredibly versatile.

• 第 (dì): This character is a prefix used to form ordinal numbers. Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of adding “-st”, “-nd”, or “-rd” to numbers in English. It's composed of the “bamboo” radical (竹) on top of 弟. In ancient China, records were kept on bamboo slips, so you can imagine a list being written down, and 第 helps to “order” the items on that list.
• 一 (yī): This is one of the simplest Chinese characters, representing the number “one” with a single horizontal stroke.

When combined, 第一 (dì yī) literally means “order-prefix + one,” creating the clear and unambiguous meaning of “the first.” To say “second,” you simply replace a with 二 (èr): 第二 (dì èr).

The concept of being “number one” is universal, but in China, 第一 carries a particularly strong cultural weight, especially in the realms of education and achievement. The drive to be 第一 is deeply ingrained in the education system. Getting 第一名 (dì yī míng), or “first place,” in class is a source of immense pride for both the student and their family. This culminates in the infamous gaokao (高考), the national college entrance exam, where securing a top rank can change a person's entire life trajectory. This cultural emphasis on academic excellence creates a highly competitive environment where being 第一 is the ultimate goal. In a broader sense, you often see 第一 used in slogans to express core values or priorities, such as 安全第一 (ānquán dì yī) - “Safety First,” or 质量第一 (zhìliàng dì yī) - “Quality First.” This reflects a pragmatic approach to identifying and focusing on the most important principle in a given context. Compared to Western culture, where being “number one” is certainly valued (e.g., in sports or business), the societal and familial pressure to achieve 第一 in China, particularly in academics, can be far more intense and centralized. It’s less about individualistic achievement and more about fulfilling a collective expectation of excellence.

第一 is used constantly in daily life. Its usage can be broken down into a few key contexts.

• Sequencing and Ordering: This is its most basic function. It's used to order items, steps, or time.
  • e.g., 第一天 (dì yī tiān) - the first day
  • e.g., 第一步 (dì yī bù) - the first step
  • e.g., 第一章 (dì yī zhāng) - the first chapter
• Ranking and Competition: This is for any situation involving a hierarchy or contest.
  • e.g., 他得了第一名 (tā déle dì yī míng) - He got first place.
  • e.g., 世界第一 (shìjiè dì yī) - Number one in the world.
• Expressing Priority (Slogans): Used as an adjective or in set phrases to state what is most important.
  • e.g., 客户第一 (kèhù dì yī) - The customer comes first.
  • e.g., 家庭第一 (jiātíng dì yī) - Family is number one.
• Describing a “First Time” Experience: As an adverb, it modifies a verb to mean “for the first time.” In this case, it's almost always followed by 次 (cì), the measure word for “time” or “occurrence.”
  • e.g., 我第一次去中国 (wǒ dì yī cì qù Zhōngguó) - The first time I went to China.

• Example 1:
  • 他在比赛中得了第一名。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài bǐsài zhōng déle dì yī míng.
  • English: He got first place in the competition.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using 第一 for ranking. 名 (míng) means “place” or “rank.”
• Example 2:
  • 这是我第一次来北京。
  • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì lái Běijīng.
  • English: This is my first time coming to Beijing.
  • Analysis: Here, 第一 is used with 次 (cì) to describe a “first time” experience. This is an extremely common and useful pattern.
• Example 3:
  • 在我们公司，客户第一。
  • Pinyin: Zài wǒmen gōngsī, kèhù dì yī.
  • English: In our company, the customer comes first.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates its use in a slogan to express a core business principle. It means the customer is the highest priority.
• Example 4:
  • 我们的第一步是学习拼音。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de dì yī bù shì xuéxí pīnyīn.
  • English: Our first step is to learn Pinyin.
  • Analysis: 第一步 (dì yī bù) is a fixed phrase meaning “the first step,” used for instructions, plans, and processes.
• Example 5:
  • 请翻到课本的第一页。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng fān dào kèběn de dì yī yè.
  • English: Please turn to the first page of the textbook.
  • Analysis: A straightforward use for ordering pages, chapters, or items in a list.
• Example 6:
  • 我还记得我的第一个老师。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hái jìdé wǒ de dì yī ge lǎoshī.
  • English: I still remember my first teacher.
  • Analysis: Note the use of the measure word 个 (ge) between 第一 and the noun 老师 (lǎoshī). This is a crucial grammar point.
• Example 7:
  • 第一次世界大战是什么时候开始的？
  • Pinyin: Dì yī Cì Shìjiè Dàzhàn shì shénme shíhòu kāishǐ de?
  • English: When did the First World War start?
  • Analysis: Used here to name a specific historical event, “World War I.”
• Example 8:
  • 对我来说，健康是第一位的。
  • Pinyin: Duì wǒ lái shuō, jiànkāng shì dì yī wèi de.
  • English: For me, health is the number one priority.
  • Analysis: The phrase 第一位 (dì yī wèi) literally means “the first position” and is used to express top priority.
• Example 9:
  • 这家餐厅的烤鸭是全城第一。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā cāntīng de kǎoyā shì quán chéng dì yī.
  • English: This restaurant's roast duck is the best (number one) in the whole city.
  • Analysis: A colloquial and slightly emphatic way to say something is “the best.” It implies it would win first place if there were a competition.
• Example 10:
  • 他是第一个完成任务的人。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì dì yī ge wánchéng rènwù de rén.
  • English: He was the first person to finish the task.
  • Analysis: Again, notice the structure: 第一 + Measure Word (个) + Noun (人). This pattern is essential for constructing correct sentences.

• “The First” vs. “One”: A very common mistake for beginners is confusing 第一 (dì yī) with 一 (yī).
  • 第一 (dì yī) is an ordinal number (“the first”). It answers “Which one?”
  • 一 (yī) is a cardinal number (“one”). It answers “How many?”
  • Incorrect: 我有第一个问题。 (Wǒ yǒu dì yī ge wèntí.) - This means “I have the first question (in a series).”
  • Correct: 我有一个问题。 (Wǒ yǒu yí ge wèntí.) - This means “I have a question / one question.” (Note the tone change on 一).
• Remember the Measure Word: When 第一 modifies a noun, you almost always need a measure word in between. Forgetting it is a frequent error.
  • Incorrect: 他是第一人。 (Tā shì dì yī rén.)
  • Correct: 他是第一个人。 (Tā shì dì yī ge rén.) - He is the first person. * The main exceptions are established titles like 第一夫人 (dì yī fūrén) (First Lady) or slogans like 质量第一 (zhìliàng dì yī). * 第一 vs. 最 (zuì): While sometimes similar in meaning (“best”), they are not interchangeable. 第一 refers to rank, while 最 (zuì) means “the most.” * Use 最 (zuì) for superlatives like “fastest,” “most beautiful,” “most delicious.” * Awkward: 他跑得第一快。(Tā pǎo de dì yī kuài.) * Correct: 他跑得最快。(Tā pǎo de zuì kuài.) - He runs the fastest. * Correct: 他跑步得了第一。(Tā pǎobù déle dì yī.) - He got first place in running. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * 第二 (dì èr): The second. The logical next term in the sequence of ordinal numbers. * 首先 (shǒuxiān): Firstly, first of all. A more formal adverb used to introduce the first point in a structured argument or speech. * 冠军 (guànjūn): Champion. A specific noun for the winner (first place) of a major competition, especially in sports. * 一 (yī): One. The cardinal number that 第一 is built upon. * 最 (zuì): The most. The superlative prefix, used to say things like “biggest,” “fastest,” or “best.” Often a point of confusion with 第一. * 首次 (shǒucì): The first time. A more formal synonym for 第一次 (dì yī cì), often used in news headlines or written documents. * 首要 (shǒuyào): Foremost, principal, primary. An adjective used to describe the most important task or issue (e.g., 首要任务 - shǒuyào rènwù - the primary task). * 开头 (kāitóu): The beginning, the start. Refers to the start of a story, event, or period, whereas 第一** refers to the first item in a sequence.