Translation guide
In Japanese, ordinal numbers are formed by adding a suffix to a number. The most common suffix is 〜目 (me), but other suffixes like 〜番 (ban), 〜位 (i), and 〜号 (gō) are used in specific contexts. The choice depends on what is being counted and the situation.
Expressing the order of items in a sequence, like 'first time', 'second person', etc.
Attach 目 to a Japanese native number or counter to mean '-th'. This is the most common way to form ordinals for general counting.
Prefix 第 to a number (usually Sino-Japanese) to form ordinals like 'Chapter 1', 'the 2nd something'. Common in formal or written contexts.
Combines 番 (number) and 目 to emphasize the numbered position in a series. Often used with Sino-Japanese numbers.
Expressing rank in a competition, class standing, or hierarchical order.
Referring to numbered things like rooms, issues of a magazine, bus routes, etc.
Specifying which floor of a building.
Expressing the day of the month.
This is my third time visiting Japan.
the second time (event)
the third child
三位に入賞した
won third place
More formal or emphatic way to state rank, often used in official announcements.
first place
あなたは五番です
You are number 5.
Used for numbered designations like room numbers, magazine issues, or train names.
Room 3
Weekly Shonen Jump 2023 Issue 1
一階で待っています
I'm waiting on the first floor.
十五日
the 15th
the second time (formal event)
最初 means 'first' in the sense of 'the beginning' or 'at first', not as an ordinal number. Use 一番目 or 第一 for 'the first one'.
She won first place in the contest.
Please go to Track 2.