HSK 3.0 · LEVEL 1
次
next, second, order, time (as in 'first time')
Free Chinese vocabulary flashcard · HSK 1
Why does 次 look like this?
The character is made of two parts: '冫' (ice/two dots) and '欠' (to yawn). Originally, it depicted a person breathing out or stuttering, suggesting something that falls just short of the main point. Today, we think of it as 'next' or 'second' in a sequence!