Skip to content
Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
仅次于 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
仅次于jǐncìyúsecond only to...HSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #26540, Very Hard
仅次于jǐncìyú(in second place) preceded only by...HSK 7, unknown, 13 strokes, rank #26540, Very Hard
jǐncìyú(jin3ci4yu2)jin ci yu T3
  1. 1second only to...
  2. 2(in second place) preceded only by...
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

仅次于(僅次于)jǐncìyú(jin3ci4yu2)

仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) means 'second only to' or 'preceded only by.' It is often used to indicate that something ranks just below another in terms of importance, quality, or position. This phrase is common in contexts such as rankings, comparisons, or evaluations.

Strokes13Frequency#26540DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

This phrase often appears in reports or discussions about achievements, such as sports rankings or academic performance, reflecting the competitive nature of Chinese society in various domains.

Memory tip

Imagine a race where the winner is at the top of the podium, and the runner-up is just one step below. The characters 仅 (jǐn) and 次 (cì) can be visualized as 'only' and 'next,' respectively, reminding you that this phrase signifies being second in line.

Meanings of 仅次于

jǐncìyú(jin3ci4yu2)
1second only to...
2(in second place) preceded only by...
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 仅次于 means.

About 仅次于

仅次于Simplified
僅次于Traditional
13Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 仅次于

JasonAmy

Podcast: 仅次于

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI study notes for 仅次于

Quick Contrast

仅次于 (jǐncìyú) vs 排在 (páizài) — use 仅次于 to emphasize a ranking just below another, while 排在 indicates a general position without the comparative nuance.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 仅次于 with other comparative phrases. This term is more formal and is often used in written contexts or speeches. Common collocations include 仅次于第一 (second only to first) or 仅次于世界 (second only to the world).

HSK Study Tips

While not directly part of any HSK level, understanding 仅次于 can enhance comprehension of comparative structures learned in HSK 3 and above. Focus on recognizing it in texts discussing rankings or comparisons.

Common Mistakes

Learners often misuse 仅次于 in contexts where a simpler comparative phrase would suffice. For instance, saying '我仅次于他' (I am second to him) is correct, but using it in informal speech might sound overly formal—consider using '我比他差一些' (I am a bit worse than him) instead.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 仅次于

Premium — Locked

Tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 仅次于, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsPitch drawing+5 XP
Get Pro to unlock

Jason Explains 仅次于 to you

Let me explain 仅次于 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 仅次于 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

How well do you know 仅次于?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 仅次于 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Component characters

仅jǐnbarely
HSK 44 strokes亻
View full entry
次cìnext in sequence
HSK 26 strokes欠
View full entry
于yúto go
HSK 63 strokes二
View full entry

How to say second only to... in Chinese

“second only to...” in Chinese is仅次于jǐncìyú

仅次于 (jǐn cì yú) means 'second only to' or 'preceded only by.' It is often used to indicate that something ranks just below another in terms of importance, quality, or position. This phrase is common in contexts such as rankings, comparisons, or evaluations.

When to use 仅次于

Be careful not to confuse 仅次于 with other comparative phrases. This term is more formal and is often used in written contexts or speeches. Common collocations include 仅次于第一 (second only to first) or 仅次于世界 (second only to the world).

仅次于 or something close to it

仅次于 (jǐncìyú) vs 排在 (páizài) — use 仅次于 to emphasize a ranking just below another, while 排在 indicates a general position without the comparative nuance.

What learners get wrong

Learners often misuse 仅次于 in contexts where a simpler comparative phrase would suffice. For instance, saying '我仅次于他' (I am second to him) is correct, but using it in informal speech might sound overly formal—consider using '我比他差一些' (I am a bit worse than him) instead.

Write 仅次于

仅
次
于

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Ask Jason

Have a question about 仅次于?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.

Frequently asked questions about 仅次于

Yes, but it's more common in formal contexts such as reporting or writing.

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 仅次于?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab