Prefixes - 小 - 、第 -
前缀 — 小—、第—
The prefixes 小 and 第 are placed before a word to modify its meaning. 小 creates familiar or diminutive forms (小王 = young Wang), 第 forms ordinal numbers (第一 = first).
Structure
小 + Noun → diminutive / familiar form 第 + Number → ordinal
Elements
小—第—
How to use it
- 小 + surname = familiar term for a younger colleague or friend: 小王, 小李.
- 第 + number = ordinal: 第一 (first), 第二 (second), 第三 (third).
- 小 can also express small size or affection: 小猫 (kitten), 小朋友 (child).
Examples
她是小李的姐姐。
tā shì xiǎo de jiějie。
She is the older sister of (the younger) Li.
我是第一个到的。
wǒ shì dì yī gè dào de。
I am the first one to arrive.
这是我第二次来中国。
zhè shì wǒ dì èr cì lái Zhōngguó。
It is the second time I come to China.
我家有一只小猫。
wǒ jiā yǒu(yì)diǎnr yī zhī xiǎo māo。
I have a kitten at home.
Notes and exceptions
- 小 before a surname is common in informal context to address a younger colleague or friend.
- 第 is used only with numbers: one does not say *第很多.
- 小 : small. The word "small" in English can mean not only "small" (petit), but also "tiny" (very small) and sometimes "young" (young).
- 第 : ordinal prefix. This prefix is used to form ordinal numbers in Chinese, such as "第一" for "first".
Common mistakes
- Do not confuse 小 (prefix affectionate) with 小 (adjective "small"): 小王 does not mean "small king".
- 第 is mandatory for ordinals: "the first" = 第一, not just 一.
Practice quiz
Choose the best option for each sentence, then submit to view the correction.
1. 她是____李的姐姐。
(She is the older sister of (the younger) Li.)
2. 我是____一个到的。
(I am the first one to arrive.)
3. 这是我____二次来中国。
(It is the second time I come to China.)
4. 我家有一只____猫。
(I have a kitten at home.)