HSKReadyGet the appHSK 1 Prefixes: How to Use 小— (xiǎo-) and 第— (dì-)
At HSK Level 1, the morpheme prefixes 小— (xiǎo-) and 第— (dì-) attach to the front of other words or roots to create friendly terms of address, affectionate nouns, and ordinal numbers.
小王今天在学校吗？
Here 小— attaches to the surname 王 (Wáng) as a friendly way to refer to a peer or younger person.
× 这是第两个房间。
Incorrect: 第两 cannot mean “second”. Use 第二个房间 for “the second room”, even though a measure word follows the number.
Corrected example: 这是第二个房间。
Read the full explanation and examples
What Are Prefixes in Basic Chinese?
In the supplied HSK Level 1 grammar outline, 小— (xiǎo-) and 第— (dì-) are classified under morphemes (语素) as prefixes (前缀). Please note that this level designation reflects the supplied reference outline and does not determine which examination version a specific test center administers.
In Mandarin, a prefix is an element placed directly before a root word or number to modify its function or tone. While both characters have other uses in Chinese, learning them as prefixes helps you recognize how everyday expressions for people, objects, and sequences are built.
Using the Prefix 小— (xiǎo-) for Address and Endearment
As a standalone adjective, 小 (xiǎo) simply means 'small' or 'young'. When used as a prefix (小—), however, it attaches directly to surnames or common nouns to add a sense of familiarity, informality, or affection.
Placing 小— before a single-character family name is a common, warm way to address or refer to a friend, classmate, or colleague who is around your age or younger. In this use, it does not mean the person is physically small.
小王今天在学校吗？
Here 小— attaches to the surname 王 (Wáng) as a friendly way to refer to a peer or younger person.
You can also attach 小— to one-syllable nouns—especially animals, children, or everyday items—to form a natural two-syllable word. Depending on the context, this either indicates a young or small version of the noun or adds a gentle, endearing tone to the sentence.
我家有一只小狗。
Attaching 小— to 狗 (gǒu, dog) forms a natural two-syllable word that sounds warm and affectionate.
Using the Prefix 第— (dì-) for Ordinal Numbers
The prefix 第— (dì-) is placed directly in front of a cardinal number (one, two, three) to turn it into an ordinal number (first, second, third). It marks rank, sequence, or order.
When an ordinal number modifies a regular noun, you still need an appropriate measure word between the number and the noun, just as you would with a regular number.
我是第一个学生。
The measure word 个 (gè) is required between the ordinal number 第一 (dì-yī) and the noun 学生 (xuésheng).
Certain nouns that inherently represent numbered units in a sequence—such as 课 (kè, lesson) or 次 (cì, time/occurrence)—function as measure words themselves and follow the number directly without 个 (gè).
今天我们学第三课。
Because 课 (kè, lesson) acts as a classifier itself, no extra measure word is placed before it.
Important Contrasts and Common Mistakes
A critical distinction at the beginner level is the difference between counting how many items exist in total and identifying which item comes at a specific point in a line or list. Leaving out or adding 第— completely changes the meaning of the phrase.
我有三个本子。
Without 第—, 三个 (sān gè) expresses a total quantity of three items.
这是第三个本子。
Adding 第— changes the meaning from a total of three items to a single item in the third position.
Another frequent issue occurs with the number two. Beginners quickly learn to use 两 (liǎng) before measure words when counting two of something, such as 两个房间 (liǎng gè fángjiān, two rooms). However, when forming the ordinal number 'second' with the prefix 第—, you must use 二 (èr), never 两 (liǎng), even when a measure word immediately follows.
× 这是第两个房间。
Incorrect: 第两 cannot mean “second”. Use 第二个房间 for “the second room”, even though a measure word follows the number.
Corrected example: 这是第二个房间。
这是第二个房间。
Correct replacement: Use 二 after 第 to express “second”: 第二个房间.
- Calendar dates and months do not use 第— in standard Mandarin; for example, March is 三月 (sānyuè), not 第三月.
- Floor labels such as 二楼 commonly appear without 第. A bus route number such as 三路 is an identifier, not simply an ordinal with 第 omitted. Distinguish labels from ranking items as first, second, or third.
- When 小— is attached to a surname, the tone of 小 (xiǎo) changes to the second tone if the surname itself is in the third tone, following standard third-tone sandhi rules.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if 小 (xiǎo) is acting as a prefix or a regular adjective?
When used as a prefix with surnames (like 小王, Xiǎo Wáng), it does not describe physical size at all; it shows social familiarity. With nouns (like 小狗, xiǎogǒu), the boundary is softer, as it forms a set two-syllable word that conveys both smallness or youth and a warm, affectionate tone.
Can I ever use 第— + Number without a measure word or noun after it?
Yes, when the context makes it clear what is being ranked, expressions like 第一 (dì-yī, first place / number one) can stand alone in a sentence.
Why is it 两个 (liǎng gè) for 'two of something' but 第二个 (dì-èr gè) for 'the second one'?
Because 两 (liǎng) is used for counting quantities of two, whereas 二 (èr) is used for sequential counting and ordinal numbers. Once you attach the prefix 第—, the number is strictly ordinal, so 二 (èr) is required.
