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What is the Kanji for 'Ordinal number'? | 第

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Ordinal number', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Ordinal number' is 第.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ordinal number

    Reading

    onyomiだい

    dai

    Parts

    Bamboo (竹)Younger brother

    Example Word

    第: ordinal. The Japanese prefix '第 (だい)' is used to indicate ordinal numbers, similar to '1st', '2nd', '3rd' in English. It is commonly attached to numbers to denote order, rank, or sequence. For example: first place「第一位」(だいいちい). Second chapter「第二章」(だいにしょう). Third time「第三回」(だいさんかい). This prefix is often used in formal or structured contexts, such as academic chapters, competition rankings, or event iterations. It is important to note that '第' is always followed by a number and does not stand alone as a word.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    11

    JLPT

    N1

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    173

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    radical

    Meaning

    Bamboo

    Radical Form Of

    kanji

    Meaning

    Younger brother

Words Using

This kanji is used in 5 words:

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 18 kanji contain the part ⺮ as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Calculate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Simplicity

    kanji

    Meaning

    Token, Symbol

    kanji

    Meaning

    Equal

    kanji

    Meaning

    Laugh

    kanji

    Meaning

    Brush

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pipe, Cylinder

    kanji

    Meaning

    Pipe

    kanji

    Meaning

    Season, Node

    kanji

    Meaning

    Plan, Policy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Build, Fabricate

    kanji

    Meaning

    Model, Pattern

    kanji

    Meaning

    Enroll, Register

    kanji

    Meaning

    Muscle, Tendon

    kanji

    Meaning

    Box

    kanji

    Meaning

    Item, Counter for articles

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chopsticks

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cage, Basket

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 第 mean?

第 means 'Ordinal number'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N1 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.