Ordinal numbers

Level 1

Ordinal numbers show order or rank, such as första (1st), andra (2nd), and tredje (3rd). They are commonly used when stating dates, floors, or rankings.

How It Works

Ordinal numbers describe position in a series.

Basic Ordinals (1st–12th):

  • 1st: första
  • 2nd: andra
  • 3rd: tredje
  • 4th: fjärde
  • 5th: femte
  • 6th: sjätte
  • 7th: sjunde
  • 8th: åttonde
  • 9th: nionde
  • 10th: tionde
  • 11th: elfte
  • 12th: tolvte

Higher Ordinals:
Numbers from 13 to 19 add -de to the base cardinal number (for example, trettonde for 13th). Tens like 20th and 30th add -nde (for example, tjugonde for 20th).

Usage with Articles:
A common definite pattern has a front article: den första dagen (the first day), det andra huset (the second house). Ordinals are also essential when talking about dates (for example, den tredje maj).

An article is not required before every ordinal: på andra våningen and första gången are normal. A possessive also replaces the article, as in min första dag, and the noun then has no definite suffix. Ordinals can occur in indefinite expressions too: ett tredje försök (a third attempt).

For larger numbers, change only the final component: tjugoförsta, tjugotredje, hundrade, tusende. Första and andra can have masculine forms förste and andre in appropriate person-denoting uses; ordinary ett-noun phrases keep första and andra.

Examples (4)

  1. Det här är min första dag på jobbet.

    This is my first day at work.

    Word by Word: This here is my first day at work.

    'Första' is the ordinal form for 'first'.

  2. Vi bor på andra våningen.

    We live on the second floor.

    Word by Word: We live on second floor-the.

    'Andra' means 'second'.

  3. Hon kom på tredje plats i tävlingen.

    She finished in third place in the competition.

    Word by Word: She came on third place in competition-the.

    'Tredje' means 'third'.

  4. Min födelsedag är den femte juli.

    My birthday is on the fifth of July.

    Word by Word: My birthday is the fifth July.

    'Femte' is used when giving dates.

Common Mistakes

  • Using cardinal numbers instead of ordinal numbers for rank or position.

    Det är min ett dag här.
    Det är min första dag här.

    Use ordinal numbers ('första') rather than cardinal numbers ('ett') when indicating sequence or position.

  • Using the cardinal form 'två' instead of the ordinal form 'andra'.

    Det är det två huset.
    Det är det andra huset.

    'Två' means 'two' (counting), while 'andra' means 'second' (order).

How It Connects

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

Ordinal numbersLevel 1

Learn This First

To understand ordinal numbers, you first need to know the basic cardinal numbers they are based on. Since ordinals usually describe a specific item in a sequence, they are almost always used with definite articles and follow the grammatical behavior of adjectives.

Learn Next

Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

förstaandratredjefjärdefemtesjättesjundeåttondetionde