HSK 3
第-、老-、小-
dì - 、 lǎo - 、 xiǎo -
Ordinals and affectionate address with 第-, 老-, 小-
Explanation
These are three prefixes (elements placed before a word to create a new meaning) that appear very often in Chinese: 第 (dì), 老 (lǎo) and 小 (xiǎo).
第 + a number = an ordinal number (第一 dì yī = first); 老/小 + surname = a familiar, friendly way to address someone (老王 lǎo Wáng = Mr. Wang, 小李 xiǎo Lǐ = young Li); 老 + number = birth order among siblings (老二 lǎo èr = the second child).
第 to rank things in order (第一名 = first place). 老 to address someone older or close to you, 小 to address someone younger than you in a familiar, natural way in everyday life.
Vietnamese learners often forget 第 when saying ordinal numbers (saying 一 instead of 第一); and often confuse 老 (familiar/older) with 小 (familiar/younger) — using the wrong one comes across as impolite or gets the seniority relationship wrong.
老 and 小 here do NOT mean "old" or "small", they are only a familiar way of addressing someone.
Examples
first, third, second (older brother/sister), Mr. Wang (familiar), young Li (familiar), young Wang (familiar)
Learn “第-、老-、小-” effectively
The grammar point “第-、老-、小-” (Ordinals and affectionate address with 第-, 老-, 小-) is one of the key structures at HSK 3. To use it fluently, you need to understand the contexts where it's used and practice regularly.
Study tip: read the examples aloud many times to build a natural reflex. Then try making your own sentences for your own situations. Use the audio button to hear and practice accurate pronunciation.
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