co1 ci3初次

Jyutpingco1 ci3

Yalechō chi

副詞Uncommon

Definition

The first time; doing something for the first time without prior experience.

neutraltime

How it's used

While 初次 is understood in speech, it carries a slightly formal or literary tone compared to the much more common 第一次. You will frequently encounter it in written announcements, formal introductions, or news reports. In casual daily conversation, native speakers almost exclusively prefer using 第一次 to describe an initial experience.

Examples

ngo5我co1初ci3次lai4嚟hoeng1香gong2港，gok3覺dak1得nei1呢dou6度hou2好jit6熱naau6鬧。

I came to Hong Kong for the first time and find it very lively.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪co1初ci3次gin3見keoi5佢aa4呀？

Is this your first time meeting him?

Common phrases

co1初ci3次gin3見min6面

first meeting

co1初ci3次soeng4嘗si3試

first attempt

Common mistake

Learners often overuse 初次 in casual settings where 第一次 is more natural. Using 初次 with friends can sound slightly stiff or like you are reading from a script.