Usage of the suffix '-제'
The suffix '-제' is attached to nouns or verb stems to indicate order, number, or degree. It is commonly used in formal or written contexts to enumerate items (like 'first', 'second', 'third'), or to denote the iteration of events (e.g., 'the 3rd meeting').
Common contexts
- When attached to ordinal numbers, it marks the order of things: 첫째 (first), 둘째 (second), 셋째 (third).
- Used with counters for events or occurrences: 제1회 (the first time/edition), 제2차 (the second round).
- Sometimes appears in adverbs like 제법, meaning 'quite' or 'fairly', indicating degree.
Collocations and patterns
- '제 + number + 회/차' to indicate the number of times an event occurs.
- '첫째, 둘째, 셋째' to list points or reasons.
- '제법 + adjective/verb' to express a moderate degree.
Notes
- '-제' is more formal and often found in written language or formal speech.
- Do not confuse with '-제' meaning 'system' or 'policy' in compound nouns (e.g., 교육제, 제도).
- Learners sometimes confuse ordinal '-제' with native Korean ordinal markers; '-제' is Sino-Korean and used in formal enumeration.