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Ordinal numbers describe an order/rank. In this lesson, you will learn how to form ordinal numbers in French.
How to form ordinal numbers in French
Look at these ordinal numbers:
| English | French | Long-hand |
| 1st | 1er / 1re | premier (m) / première (f) |
| 2nd | 2e / 2d / 2de | deuxième second (m) / seconde (f) |
| 3rd | 3e | troisième |
| 4th | 4e | quatrième |
| 5th | 5e | cinquième |
| 9th | 9e | neuvième |
The main rule to form ordinal numbers is as follows:
Cardinal number + -ième at the end
(stripping off any mute -e if there is one first)
(stripping off any mute -e if there is one first)
EXCEPTIONS
- premier/première and second/seconde agree in gender with the noun they refer to
- you add a -u after cinq to form cinquième, as the syllable "qi" doesn't exist in French.
- the -f of neuf becomes a -v in neuvième, simply to ease the pronunciation.
Now listen to these examples:
Je préfère la première robe.I prefer the first dress.
Il a fini le troisième exercice.He finished the third exercise.
Le Cinquième Élément est un film génial !The Fifth Element is a great film!
Je suis arrivé sixième au marathon.I came sixth at the marathon.
J'ai réussi la neuvième fois.I managed the ninth time.
When to use deuxième vs second/seconde ?
On aime la deuxième chanson de l'album.We like the second song of the album.
Il y avait deux gâteaux sur la table: j'en ai mangé un, tu as mangé le second.There were two cakes on the table: I ate one, you ate the second one.
- Use deuxième if there are more than two things,
- Use second/e if there are only two options.
- Use second/e if there are only two options.
Cardinal numbers = 1,2,3 etc
Ordinal numbers = describing an order/rank = 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc Fractions = describing a part of a whole = half, third, fourth etc
Also see Expressing fractions in French - general (French Numbers)
Ordinal numbers = describing an order/rank = 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc Fractions = describing a part of a whole = half, third, fourth etc
Also see Expressing fractions in French - general (French Numbers)
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