Definition
序数 means 'ordinal number' — the form of a number that indicates position or rank in a sequence (first, second, third). In Chinese, ordinals are formed by adding 第 (dì) before a cardinal number: 第一 (first), 第二 (second), 第三 (third). Unlike English, Chinese ordinals are always marked by 第, so you can't just use a number alone to mean 'first' or 'second' without 第. This term is used in mathematics, linguistics, and everyday contexts like rankings, floors, and dates.
n.
ordinal number (a number indicating position in a sequence, e.g., first, second, third)
Examples
- ,序数“”。Zài Hànyǔ zhōng, xù shù qiánmiàn yào jiā “dì”.In Chinese, you need to add 'dì' before an ordinal number.
- 序数,。xù shù hé jīshù bùtóng, tā biǎoshì shùnxù.Ordinal numbers are different from cardinal numbers; they indicate order.
- 序数。Zhège bǐsài de qián sān míng àn xù shù páiliè.The top three places in this competition are arranged by ordinal number.
Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.