Ordinal Numbers

Level 2

Ordinal numbers (first, second, third) in Dutch are mostly regular, formed by adding -de or -ste to the base number. They are used for rankings, floors, and spoken dates.

How It Works

Dutch ordinal numbers (rangtelwoorden) follow a predictable pattern based on the ending of the cardinal number.

1. The Suffixes

  • -de: Used for numbers 2 through 19 (except 8). Examples: tweede (2nd), vierde (4th), twaalfde (12th).
  • -ste: Used for 8 (achtste) and all numbers from 20 onwards. Examples: twintigste (20th), honderdste (100th).

2. Irregularities
There are two main irregular forms you must memorize:

  • 1st: eerste (not eende).
  • 3rd: derde (the 'ie' in drie changes to 'er').

3. Compound Numbers
In numbers above 20, the suffix is always determined by the final part of the word. Even if the number is 102 (honderdtwee), it ends in tweede because 2 takes -de. However, 21 (eenentwintig) ends in -ste because 20 takes -ste.

4. Adjective Behavior
Unlike regular adjectives that might lose an '-e' (see adjective inflection), ordinals are morphologically fixed. They always end in -e, regardless of the noun's gender or whether the article is de or het.

Examples (5)

  1. Dit is de eerste keer dat ik naar Nederland reis.

    This is the first time that I am traveling to the Netherlands.

    Word by Word: This is the first time that I to Netherlands travel.

    'Eerste' is the irregular ordinal for 'one'.

  2. Wij wonen op de derde verdieping.

    We live on the third floor.

    Word by Word: We live on the third floor.

    'Derde' is the irregular ordinal for 'three'.

  3. Zij eindigde als achtste in de wedstrijd.

    She finished eighth in the competition.

    Word by Word: She finished as eighth in the competition.

    'Achtste' is an exception; even though it is below 20, it takes '-ste' because it ends in 't'.

  4. Vandaag is het de eenentwintigste van mei.

    Today is the twenty-first of May.

    Word by Word: Today is it the one-and-twentieth of May.

    For numbers 20 and up, we always use the '-ste' suffix.

  5. Het honderdste doelpunt was prachtig.

    The hundredth goal was beautiful.

    Word by Word: The hundredth goal was beautiful.

    Large round numbers like 100 (honderd) and 1000 (duizend) take the '-ste' suffix.

Common Mistakes

  • Using '-de' for the number 8.

    de achtde man
    de achtste man

    The number 8 (acht) already ends in a 't', so it always takes the '-ste' suffix instead of '-de'.

  • Applying the suffix to the wrong part of a compound number.

    de eerstentwintig
    de eenentwintigste

    In compound numbers, the ordinal suffix only attaches to the very end of the full number word.

  • Writing 'driede' for 3rd.

    de driede keer
    de derde keer

    The ordinal for 3 (drie) is irregular and changes to 'derde'.

How It Connects

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

Ordinal NumbersLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn ordinal numbers, you first need a solid grasp of cardinal numbers (1-20+) as they serve as the base. Additionally, understanding basic spelling rules is important because adding suffixes like -de or -ste can trigger changes in how the word is written.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

eerstetweedederdeachtste-ste-de