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The character 次 originally comprised the component 二 (èr, two) on the left and 欠 (qiàn, to lack or yawn), but the left side later standardized into the radical 冫 (bīng, ice), obscuring its initial etymology. The presence of "two" indicated the concept of being second in order or rank, leading to meanings such as next, secondary, or inferior. Building on this idea of sequence, the character also became a common measure word for counting the frequency of an action or the number of times an event occurs within a series.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我每次都很开心。
这是第二次考试。
他错过了那次会议。
我们需要依次排队。
这次旅行非常愉快。
层次分明的结构很好。
次要问题可以稍后处理。
鉴于此次事故的严重性，我们必须采取措施。