Ordinal Numbers

Level 2

Ordinals end in -de or -ste: tweede (2nd), vierde (4th), agtste (8th), twintigste (20th). First is eerste and third is derde.

How It Works

1. The first ten.

  • 1st eerste, 2nd tweede, 3rd derde, 4th vierde, 5th vyfde
  • 6th sesde, 7th sewende, 8th agtste, 9th negende, 10th tiende

Eerste and derde are special forms. Agt is the only small number that takes -ste.

2. From 11 to 19: -de. elfde, twaalfde, dertiende, agttiende, negentiende.

3. From 20 upward: -ste. twintigste, dertigste, honderdste, duisendste, miljoenste.

4. Long numbers. Only the last part becomes an ordinal, so the ending depends on that part: een-en-twintigste (21st), honderd-en-eerste (101st), honderd-en-derde (103rd). The numbers are built as in numbers from 21.

5. Using ordinals. An ordinal usually comes after die or a possessive: die eerste keer (the first time), my tweede kind (my second child). It can also stand after the verb: Sy was tweede. (She was second.)

6. Writing with numbers. Add the ending to the figure: 1ste, 2de, 3de, 8ste, 20ste. Dates are usually written without the ending, as in 5 Mei, but may be read aloud with an ordinal (see months and dates).

Tip: The -ste ending looks like the superlative ending, as in grootste (biggest). The two are easy to remember together.

Examples (6)

  1. Dit is my eerste keer in Kaapstad.

    It is my first time in Cape Town.

    Word by Word: It is my first time in Cape Town.

  2. Ons woon op die derde verdieping.

    We live on the third floor.

    Word by Word: We live on the third floor.

  3. Sy was tweede in die wedloop.

    She was second in the race.

    Word by Word: She was second in the race.

  4. Hy vier môre sy twintigste verjaarsdag.

    He celebrates his twentieth birthday tomorrow.

    Word by Word: He celebrates tomorrow his twentieth birthday.

    Twintig and higher numbers take -ste.

  5. Die agtste hoofstuk is die beste.

    The eighth chapter is the best.

    Word by Word: The eighth chapter is the best.

    Agt takes -ste, unlike the other small numbers.

  6. Ons leef in die een-en-twintigste eeu.

    We live in the twenty-first century.

    Word by Word: We live in the one-and-twentieth century.

    Only the last part, twintig, becomes an ordinal.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding -de to agt.

    Dit is die agtde les.
    Dit is die agtste les.

    Agt is the one small number that takes -ste: agtste.

  • Building first from een.

    Dit is my eende keer hier.
    Dit is my eerste keer hier.

    First has its own form, eerste. Third is derde, not driede.

  • Adding -de to twintig and higher numbers.

    Dit is sy twintigde verjaarsdag.
    Dit is sy twintigste verjaarsdag.

    Numbers from twintig upward take -ste: twintigste, dertigste, honderdste.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Ordinal NumbersLevel 2

Learn This First

Ordinal numbers are built from the cardinal numbers.

Words in This Pattern

-de-stederdederde