Meaning and Usage
"둘째" means "second" and is commonly used to indicate the second item in a sequence, such as the second child in a family or the second day of an event.
Common Contexts
It is often used when talking about birth order (e.g., "둘째 아이" for the second child) or when referring to the second occurrence of something (e.g., "둘째 날" for the second day).
Collocations and Patterns
- "둘째 아이": second child, used in family contexts.
- "둘째 날": second day, used in schedules or events.
- "둘째 문제": second problem or question, used in academic or problem-solving contexts.
Register and Politeness
"둘째" is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "둘째" with "두 번째" which also means "second." While both are correct, "둘째" is more often used for birth order or fixed sequences, whereas "두 번째" is more general and can be used for any second item or occurrence.