Usage of ～目
The suffix ～目 is used to indicate the order or sequence of something, similar to "-th" or "number ~" in English. It attaches to counters or numbers to express the position in a series, such as first (一つ目), second (二つ目), third (三回目), etc.
Common contexts
You will often see ～目 used when talking about attempts, turns, positions in a line, or steps in a process. For example, 三回目 (third time), 二番目 (second one), or 一つ目の駅 (the first station).
Collocations and patterns
- 数字 + ～目: Indicates the ordinal number (e.g., 一番目, 二回目).
- ～目の + noun: Specifies the noun at that position (e.g., 三つ目の角 - the third corner).
- ～目に + verb: Expresses the action happening at the ~th time (e.g., 二回目に成功した - succeeded on the second try).
Nuances and tips
Using ～目 is very common in everyday Japanese and is neutral in politeness. It is important not to confuse ～目 with the particle め used in other contexts. Also, ～目 always follows counters or numbers, never standalone.
Common learner mistake
Learners sometimes omit the counter before ～目 or use it with inappropriate words. Always attach ～目 to a proper number or counter to indicate order clearly.