Prefixes
Grammar Pattern
How to Use This Grammar
The prefixes '小' (xiǎo) and '第' (dì) are used to modify nouns. '小' is placed before a surname or a noun to indicate familiarity, endearment, or to refer to someone younger. '第' is placed before a number to form an ordinal number, indicating order or sequence. For example, in '小王是我的朋友' (Xiǎo Wáng shì wǒ de péngyǒu), '小' is used with the surname '王' to refer to 'Little Wang' or 'Young Wang', showing a friendly or familiar address.
Key Vocabulary
我的同学是学生。
Wǒ de tóngxué shì xuéshēng.
My classmate is a student.
这是我第一次吃中国菜。
Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cǐ chī Zhōngguó cài.
This is my first time eating Chinese food.
Example Sentences
小李是我的同学。
Xiǎo Lǐ shì wǒ de tóngxué.
Xiao Li is my classmate.
这是我第一次来中国。
Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cǐ lái Zhōngguó.
This is my first time coming to China.
他是我弟弟，小明。
Tā shì wǒ dìdi, Xiǎo Míng.
He is my younger brother, Xiao Ming.