倒数 dàoshǔ to count backwards (from 10 down to 0)
to count backwards (from 10 down to 0); to count down; from the bottom (lines on a page); from the back (rows of seats)
How to remember 倒数: 倒 collapse + 数 number = to count backwards (from 10 down to 0).
Characters
How it is used
- Read dàoshǔ: to count from the bottom/end - 倒数第一 (dàoshǔ dì-yī) last place (first from the bottom); 倒数第二 (second to last).
- Also to count backwards: 倒数十个数 (count down from ten). The everyday use is ranking from the end.
- Beware the other reading dàoshù, the math term 'reciprocal' (2 的倒数是 1/2). Context and position tell them apart.
Example sentences
- 她总是在班上拿倒数第一。 Tā zǒngshì zài bānshàng ná dàoshǔ dìyī.She is always at the bottom of the class.
- 我是倒数第二个得知这个坏消息的。 Wǒ shì dàoshǔ dìèrgè dézhī zhège huàixiāoxī de.I was the second to last person to hear the bad news.