Ordinal Numbers

Level 1

French ordinal numbers rank items in a sequence. Most are formed by adding -ième to the cardinal number (e.g., trois → troisième). The main exception is 'first' (premier).

How It Works

Ordinal numbers function as adjectives in French. Here are their main formation and usage patterns:

1. General Formation
For most ordinals, add the suffix -ième to the cardinal number:

  • deux → deuxième (second)
  • dix → dixième (tenth)

2. Spelling Adjustments

  • Drop the final -e: If a number ends in a silent -e, remove it before adding the suffix (e.g., quatre → quatrième).
  • The 'u' in 5th: Cinq becomes cinquième (add a 'u' to keep the hard 'k' sound).
  • The 'v' in 9th: Neuf becomes neuvième (the 'f' changes to 'v').

3. The 'First' Exception and Compound Numbers
The word for 'first' is premier (masc.) or première (fem.). However, in compound numbers like 21st or 31st, use -unième (e.g., vingt-et-unième). Note that -unième is gender-invariable.

4. Abbreviations
In writing, ordinals are often abbreviated:

  • 1er (premier) / 1re (première)
  • 2e, 3e, 10e for deuxième, troisième and dixième. Second and seconde can be abbreviated 2d and 2de. These ending letters are conventionally superscript; avoid the informal abbreviation ème in careful writing.

5. Agreement and Elision
Ordinal numbers agree in number with the noun they modify (e.g., les trois premiers jours). Crucially, do not use elision with huitième or onzième; say le huitième or la onzième.

6. Second vs. Deuxième
Second/seconde and deuxième both mean second. Some writers prefer second for a set of two, but that distinction is not compulsory. Fixed expressions can require second, as in seconde main (second-hand), while compound ordinals use deuxième, as in vingt-deuxième.

7. Dates and Titles
In ordinary calendar dates and numbering of monarchs, use the ordinal for the first of the month (le premier mai) and the first of a royal line (Napoléon Ier). For all others, use cardinal numbers (le deux mai, Louis XIV).

Examples (6)

  1. C'est la <grammar expression="Ordinal numbers">première</grammar> fois que je viens ici.

    It is the first time that I am coming here.

    Word by Word: It is the first time that I come here.

    Note that 'premier' changes to 'première' to match the feminine noun 'fois'.

  2. J'habite au <grammar expression="Ordinal numbers">quatrième</grammar> étage.

    I live on the fourth floor.

    Word by Word: I live at the fourth floor.

    The final 'e' in 'quatre' is dropped before adding '-ième'.

  3. Elle est arrivée à la <grammar expression="Ordinal numbers">neuvième</grammar> place.

    She arrived in ninth place.

    Word by Word: She is arrived at the ninth place.

    The 'f' in 'neuf' changes to a 'v' in 'neuvième'.

  4. C'est le <grammar expression="Ordinal numbers">vingt-et-unième</grammar> siècle.

    It is the twenty-first century.

    Word by Word: It is the twenty-and-first century.

    In compound numbers, 'premier' is replaced by '-unième', which is gender-invariable.

  5. Nous sommes le <grammar expression="Ordinal numbers">premier</grammar> avril.

    It is April 1st.

    Word by Word: We are the first April.

    French uses the ordinal only for the first day of the month.

  6. J'ai lu les trois <grammar expression="Ordinal numbers">premiers</grammar> chapitres.

    I read the first three chapters.

    Word by Word: I have read the three first chapters.

    Ordinal numbers agree in number with the noun; here 'premiers' is plural to match 'chapitres'.

Common Mistakes

  • Using elision with 'huitième' or 'onzième'.

    l'onzième page
    la onzième page

    Unlike most words starting with a vowel or silent 'h', 'huitième' and 'onzième' do not allow elision. You must say 'le huitième' or 'la onzième'.

  • Using 'premier' in compound numbers like 21st.

    le vingt-et-premier
    le vingt-et-unième

    'Premier' is only used for the absolute first. For 21st, 31st, etc., use '-unième', which stays the same for both masculine and feminine nouns.

  • Using ordinal numbers for all dates.

    le deuxième mars
    le deux mars

    In French, only the 1st of the month uses an ordinal number. All other days use standard cardinal numbers.

How It Connects

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

Ordinal NumbersLevel 1

Learn This First

To learn ordinal numbers, you first need to know the basic cardinal numbers they are built upon. Additionally, since ordinal numbers function as adjectives that usually precede the noun, understanding grammatical gender and the specific rules for adjectives that come before the noun is essential.

Words in This Pattern

-ième