DIYI.com

“Dì yī” (第一), pronounced with the fourth tone on “dì” and first tone on “yī,” is a fundamental Chinese term meaning “first,” “number one,” or “primary.” Literally, it combines “dì” (ordinal prefix) and “yī” (one), denoting precedence or supremacy in order, rank, or quality. This simple phrase carries profound cultural, philosophical, and social weight in Chinese society, reflecting values of excellence, hierarchy, and ambition that have shaped the civilization for millennia.