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    Chinese Grammar

    Counting occurrences with 次 (cì)

    Frequency & Habit
    Numbers & Quantity

    Structure

    Number + 次 + Noun/Verb

    Explanation

    The measure word 次 (cì) is used to count the number of times an action occurs. It is one of the most common measure words in Chinese and pairs with a number to quantify repeated events. For example, 三次 means "three times."

    Examples

    • 这部电影我已经看了三次了。

      Zhè bù diànyǐng wǒ yǐjīng kànle sān cì le.

      I've already watched this movie three times.

    • 他每次来北京都会去故宫。

      Tā měi cì lái Běijīng dōu huì qù Gùgōng.

      Every time he comes to Beijing, he visits the Forbidden City.

    • 这是我第一次坐飞机。

      Zhè shì wǒ dì yī cì zuò fēijī.

      This is my first time flying on an airplane.

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    Counting occurrences with 次 (cì) | Chinese Grammar