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次 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
次cìnext in sequenceHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìsecondHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìthe second (day, time etc)HSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìsecondaryHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìvice-HSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìsub-HSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìinfra-HSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìinferior qualityHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìsubstandardHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìorderHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìsequenceHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìhypo- (chemistry)HSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìclassifier for enumerated events: timeHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
次cìorder, sequence; second, next; one after the otherHSK 2, q, 6 strokes, radical 欠, rank #104, Easy
cì(ci4) T4
  1. 1next in sequence
  2. 2second
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

次cì(ci4)

The character '次' (cì) primarily denotes something that comes next in a sequence or order, often translated as 'second' or 'next.' It is commonly used in contexts such as describing the second event in a series or indicating a secondary quality, as well as functioning as a classifier for enumerated actions, like 'once' or 'twice.'

Strokes6Radical欠Frequency#104DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '次' is important in various contexts, such as traditional festivals where events occur in a specific sequence, like the second day of the Lunar New Year being a day for visiting relatives.

Memory Tip

Imagine a race where the first runner is ahead, and the second runner is '次' (cì) running right behind. The character '次' has a component that resembles a flowing river (the left part) and a foot (the right part), symbolizing the flow of time and order—the next runner in line.

Meanings of 次

cì(ci4)
1next in sequence
2second
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 次

次Simplified
6Strokes
欠Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#104Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1BCT✓CEFRA1

Podcast: 次

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Podcast: 次

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 次

Quick Contrast

次 (cì) vs 号 (hào) — use 次 for sequential order or frequency, while 号 indicates a specific number or designation.

Usage Notes

'次' can often be confused with '次要' (cìyào), which means secondary or less important. It's important to use '次' in the correct context, particularly when counting events or times, and remember it is often used in oral language rather than formal writing. Additionally, watch out for the tonal pronunciation; 'cì' is pronounced with a falling tone.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 2 level word, '次' connects with other basic vocabulary related to numbers and sequence, such as '第一' (dì yī, first) and '第二' (dì èr, second). Focus on using '次' in simple sentences to describe events in order or to indicate frequency.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '次' with '次要' (cìyào) when trying to express 'secondary'; remember that '次' is primarily for sequence. For example, saying '我有次的计划' (Wǒ yǒu cì de jìhuà) instead of '我有第二的计划' (Wǒ yǒu dì èr de jìhuà) can lead to misunderstanding.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 次

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Etymology of 次

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A person 欠 yawning multiple times 冫

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 次

  1. 1The giveawayA person 欠 yawning multiple times 冫
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 次? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 次?

Decomposition of 次

IDS Structure⿰冫欠
次Full Character
=
冫bing1
left
欠qian4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 次?

How to say next in sequence in Chinese

“next in sequence” in Chinese is次cì

The character '次' (cì) primarily denotes something that comes next in a sequence or order, often translated as 'second' or 'next.' It is commonly used in contexts such as describing the second event in a series or indicating a secondary quality, as well as functioning as a classifier for enumerated actions, like 'once' or 'twice.'

When to use 次

'次' can often be confused with '次要' (cìyào), which means secondary or less important. It's important to use '次' in the correct context, particularly when counting events or times, and remember it is often used in oral language rather than formal writing. Additionally, watch out for the tonal pronunciation; 'cì' is pronounced with a falling tone.

次 or something close to it

次 (cì) vs 号 (hào) — use 次 for sequential order or frequency, while 号 indicates a specific number or designation.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '次' with '次要' (cìyào) when trying to express 'secondary'; remember that '次' is primarily for sequence. For example, saying '我有次的计划' (Wǒ yǒu cì de jìhuà) instead of '我有第二的计划' (Wǒ yǒu dì èr de jìhuà) can lead to misunderstanding.

Write 次

次

Practice writing 次 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 次

次 functions as a measure word. Place it between a number/demonstrative and the noun it counts (一本书, 这个人). Different categories of nouns require different measure words. It carries 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

我去过北京两____。

I've been to Beijing twice.

Example Sentences for 次 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
每次我感冒都会流鼻血。

měi cì wǒ gǎn mào dū huì liú bí xiě。

Whenever I have a cold I get a nosebleed.
2
库克船长驾驶的船安全出航100次无事故。

kù kè chuán cháng jià shǐ de chuán ān quán chū háng100 100 cì wú shì。

Captain Cook safely navigated his ship without accident for 100 voyages.
3
我再次尝试联系我的表妹琼。

wǒ zài cì cháng shì lián xì wǒ de biǎo mèi qióng。

I tried again to get ahold of my cousin Joan.
4
我们感到大家生活的精神层次各不相同。

wǒ mén gǎn dào dà jiā shēng huó de jīng shén céng cì gè bù xiāng tóng。

We felt we were living life on several different planes.
5
我们的床单有些次,您将就着用吧。

wǒ mén de chuáng dān yǒu xiē cì, , nín jiāng jiù zháo yòng。

We're a bit low on bed linen. You'll have to make do.
6
你没必要为这次聚会而着盛装。

nǐ méi bì yào wéi zhè cì jù huì ér zháo shèng zhuāng。

You don't have to get dressed up for this party.
7
你知道,刚开始我并不同意来参加这次旅行。

nǐ zhī dào, , gāng kāi shǐ wǒ bìng bù tóng yì lái cān jiā zhè cì lǚ。

You know, I wasn't sold on this trip in the beginning.
8
你上次和他调情或挑逗他是什么时候?

nǐ shàng cì hé tā tiáo qíng huò tiāo dòu tā shì shí mó shí hòu?

When did you last flirt with him or tease him?
9
下次你来伯明翰一定要来看看我们。

xià cì nǐ lái bó míng hàn yī dìng yào lái kàn kàn wǒ mén。

Do pay us a visit next time you're in Birmingham.
10
你怎样防止它再次发生?

nǐ zěn yàng fáng zhǐ tā zài cì fā shēng?

What can you do to keep it from happening again?
11
下次我们一起去看电影吧。

Xià cì wǒmen yīqǐ qù kàn diànyǐng ba.

Let's go watch a movie together next time.
12
请在下次会议前准备好资料。

Qǐng zài xià cì huìyì qián zhǔnbèi hǎo zīliào.

Please prepare the materials before the next meeting.
13
下次考试我一定会更努力。

Xià cì kǎoshì wǒ yīdìng huì gèng nǔlì.

I will definitely try harder for the next exam.
14
我希望下次能见到你。

Wǒ xīwàng xià cì néng jiàn dào nǐ.

I hope to see you next time.

Word Family of 次

Compounds16
资zi1resources
盗dao4to steal
姿zi1beauty
茨ci2thatching; caltrop, Tribulus terrestris
咨zi1to consult
瓷ci2chinaware
恣zi4indulgent; unrestrained
粢zi1common millet; grain offered as a sacrifice
趑zi1to falter; to be unable to move
餈
乲
垐
栥
楶
秶
資zi1wealth, property, capital
Words Containing This Character20
次cìsecond
再次zàicìagain
每次every time
此次cǐcìthis time
第一次first
下次xiàcìnext time
首次shǒucìfirst
上次shàngcìlast time
多次duōcìmany times
其次qícìnext
层次céngcìlayer層次
第二次second
一次性yícìxìngone-time
次数cìshùfrequency次數
档次dàngcìgrade檔次
依次yīcìin order
次日cìrìnext day
初次chūcìfor the first time
仅次于jǐncìyúsecond only to...僅次于
名次míngcìplace
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 资 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 次

'次' is used to indicate the order of events, for example, '第一次' (dì yī cì) means 'the first time' and '第二次' (dì èr cì) means 'the second time.'

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