Usage of '-째'
The suffix '-째' is used to indicate the order or sequence of something, similar to 'th' in English (e.g., first, second, third). It is attached to native Korean numbers or Sino-Korean numbers to express the position in a series or the number of times something occurs.
Common contexts
'-째' is often used with words like 생일 (birthday), 시험 (exam), or arrival order to specify which occurrence or order is being referred to. For example, 다섯째 생일 means 'the fifth birthday.'
Collocations and patterns
- '첫째, 둘째, 셋째' — first, second, third (common ordinal numbers)
- '몇째' — asking about the order or number (e.g., 몇째 날? 'which day?')
- '번째' vs '-째' — both indicate order, but '-째' is more formal and often used in written language.
Register and usage notes
'-째' is somewhat formal and more common in written or formal spoken Korean. In casual speech, '-번째' is often preferred. Learners should note that '-째' always follows the number directly without a space.
Common learner mistake
Confusing '-째' with '-번째'. While both indicate order, '-번째' is more versatile and common in everyday speech. Use '-째' for formal or literary contexts to sound more natural.