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首次 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
首次shǒucìfirstHSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #38654, Hard
首次shǒucìfirst timeHSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #38654, Hard
首次shǒucìfor the first timeHSK 5, unknown, 15 strokes, rank #38654, Hard
shǒucì(shou3ci4) T3
  1. 1first
  2. 2first time
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March 24, 2026

首次shǒucì(shou3ci4)

首次 (shǒucì) means 'first time' and is used to describe the initial occurrence of an event or action. It is often used in contexts like '首次访问' (first visit) or '首次体验' (first experience), emphasizing the novelty of the experience.

Strokes15Frequency#38654DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, the concept of '首次' is significant in ceremonies and events, such as a child's first outing or a business's first product launch, symbolizing new beginnings and the importance of first impressions.

Memory Tip

Think of '首' (shǒu) as a head or leader (the first), and '次' (cì) as a sequence or order. Imagining someone standing at the front of a line for the first time can help you remember that '首次' refers to something happening for the first time.

Meanings of 首次

shǒucì(shou3ci4)
1first
2first time
Exercise 1 of 2

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About 首次

首次Simplified
15Strokes
—Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

Podcast: 首次

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Podcast: 首次

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AI Study Notes for 首次

Quick Contrast

首次 (shǒucì) vs 第一次 (dì yī cì) — use 首次 for formal contexts, while 第一次 is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '首次' with similar phrases like '第一次' (dì yī cì), which also means 'first time' but is more commonly used in casual conversation. '首次' is often used in more formal or written contexts. Pay attention to the tones when pronouncing this term.

HSK Study Tips

Although '首次' is not an official HSK word, understanding it can enhance your vocabulary at HSK Level 3 and beyond. It connects well with other time-related terms, so focus on how it can be used in different contexts related to experiencing something for the first time.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse '首次' with '第一次' and use them interchangeably in all contexts, which can lead to incorrect formality levels. For example, saying '我第一次去这家餐厅' (I first time go to this restaurant) instead of '我首次去这家餐厅' in a formal context.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 首次

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Component Characters

首shǒuhead
HSK 49 strokes首
View full entry
次cìnext in sequence
HSK 26 strokes欠
View full entry

How to say first in Chinese

“first” in Chinese is首次shǒucì

首次 (shǒucì) means 'first time' and is used to describe the initial occurrence of an event or action. It is often used in contexts like '首次访问' (first visit) or '首次体验' (first experience), emphasizing the novelty of the experience.

When to use 首次

Be careful not to confuse '首次' with similar phrases like '第一次' (dì yī cì), which also means 'first time' but is more commonly used in casual conversation. '首次' is often used in more formal or written contexts. Pay attention to the tones when pronouncing this term.

首次 or something close to it

首次 (shǒucì) vs 第一次 (dì yī cì) — use 首次 for formal contexts, while 第一次 is more commonly used in everyday conversation.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse '首次' with '第一次' and use them interchangeably in all contexts, which can lead to incorrect formality levels. For example, saying '我第一次去这家餐厅' (I first time go to this restaurant) instead of '我首次去这家餐厅' in a formal context.

Write 首次

首
次

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

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Frequently Asked Questions about 首次

'首次' can be used to describe anything happening for the first time, such as '我首次来中国' (I am in China for the first time).

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