Ordinal Numbers

Level 2

ראשון, שני and related forms mean first, second and later positions. They behave like adjectives in gender and definiteness.

How It Works

Useful Ordinals

Learn ראשון–ראשונה, שני–שנייה, שלישי–שלישית, רביעי–רביעית, חמישי–חמישית, שישי–שישית, שביעי–שביעית, שמיני–שמינית, תשיעי–תשיעית and עשירי–עשירית.

As a Description

The ordinal normally follows its noun and agrees with it: שיעור ראשון, a first lesson. In a definite phrase, mark the ordinal too: השיעור הראשון. A predicate instead says השיעור הזה ראשון, this lesson is first.

Above Ten

Higher positions normally use cardinal-based forms, as in הפרק האחד עשר, the eleventh chapter. A label such as עמוד שתיים, page two, is a number label rather than an agreeing ordinal. Keep those jobs separate.

Examples (4)

  1. היום הראשון

    The first day.

    The ordinal is masculine and definite.

  2. הפעם הראשונה

    The first time.

    The ordinal is feminine and definite.

  3. השיעור השלישי

    The third lesson.

    The ordinal follows the noun.

  4. הפרק האחד עשר

    The eleventh chapter.

    A cardinal-based form expresses a position above ten.

Common Mistakes

  • Using a masculine ordinal with a feminine noun.

    הפעם הראשון
    הפעם הראשונה

    פעם is feminine, so the ordinal is הראשונה.

How It Connects

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

Ordinal NumbersLevel 2

Learn This First

Use an ordinal as an agreeing description rather than a cardinal quantity.