次 (cì) - next & second

次Tone 4

cì ｜ 6 strokes ｜ radical: 冫

橙丁

次 · cì

next;

second;

secondary;

order;

sequence;

time (occurrence);

inferior;

substandard

nextsecondsecondary

Usage highlights

next timesecond timefirst timeorder/sequencesecondaryinferior quality

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This is my second time visiting Beijing (第二次来北京).
  • Please line up in order (按次序排队).
  • The quality is substandard (质量次).
  • Next stop is Tiananmen Square (下一站是天安门).

Collocations

  • next time(下次)
  • second time(第二次)
  • first time(第一次)
  • order/sequence(次序)
  • secondary(次要)
  • inferior quality(次品)

Idioms

  • Not even once(一次也不)
  • One after another(接二连三)
  • Beyond count(不计其数)
  • The order of seniority(长幼次序)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese ranking systems, '次' denotes secondary position or inferior status.
  • Used in academic contexts to indicate ranking (e.g., 第一名 first place, 第二名 second place).
  • Appears in historical texts to describe hierarchical relationships and social order.

FAQ