ci1次
Jyutpingci1
Yalechī
Definition
Prefix meaning "second", "next", or "secondary".
writtenpeoplenumbers
How it's used
This prefix is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to denote the second in a sequence or rank. It is rarely used in casual daily speech, where people prefer using numbers like 第二個 or 老二 to describe the second person or thing. You will mostly encounter it in titles, historical records, or formal descriptions of family hierarchy.
Examples
He is my second son, he is studying at university this year.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a standalone word for 'next' or 'second time', but it functions strictly as a prefix in this sense. For 'next time' or 'second time', use 下次 or 第二次 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
