-inci/-ıncı

Ordinal Numbers

Level 3

Turkish uses the suffix -inci (and its variants) to indicate rank or sequence. It follows four-way vowel harmony and adjusts based on whether the number ends in a vowel or a consonant.

How It Works

The ordinal suffix is essential for expressing floors, centuries, rankings, and sequences in Turkish. Here are the key rules:

  • Vowel Harmony: The suffix changes to match the last vowel of the number:
    - a, ı → -ıncı (altıncı)
    - e, i → -inci (birinci)
    - o, u → -uncu (dokuzuncu)
    - ö, ü → -üncü (üçüncü)
  • Consonant Softening: Any number ending in dört (four) undergoes consonant softening, where the 't' changes to 'd' before the suffix: dördüncü, on dördüncü, yirmi dördüncü.
  • Vowel Clash: If a number ends in a vowel (like iki, altı, or yedi), the first vowel of the suffix is omitted: ikinci, altıncı, yedinci. This rule also applies when writing with digits: 2'nci (not 2'inci).
  • Nouns After Ordinals: Unlike cardinal numbers, ordinals act like ordinary adjectives, so the noun can be plural when the meaning needs it (e.g., üçüncü kat - third floor, üçüncü sınıflar - the third-grade classes).
  • Punctuation and Roman Numerals: In writing, a period (.) after a number acts as the ordinal suffix (e.g., 3. = üçüncü). For centuries, it is very common to use Roman numerals followed by a period (e.g., XXI. yüzyıl - 21st century). If you use digits with a suffix instead, you must use an apostrophe (e.g., 3'üncü). Never use both a period and a suffix together.
  • Usage in Dates: Unlike English, Turkish uses cardinal numbers for the day of the month (e.g., 19 Mayıs). Ordinals are used for centuries or to indicate the sequence of months or years.
  • Asking for Rank: To ask 'which one' in a sequence or 'what rank', use the question word kaçıncı.
  • The word 'First' and 'Last': While birinci is used for numerical rank (1st), the word ilk is often used for the 'initial' item in a series (e.g., ilk aşk - first love). Similarly, to express 'last' in a sequence, Turkish uses the word sonuncu, which is formed by adding the ordinal suffix to son (end/last).

Examples (6)

  1. Üçüncü katta oturuyorum.

    I live on the third floor.

    Word by Word: Third floor-at I-am-living.

    The number 'üç' (three) ends in a consonant and has a rounded front vowel 'ü', so it takes '-üncü'.

  2. Bu benim ilk günüm.

    This is my first day.

    Word by Word: This my first day-my.

    While 'birinci' means '1st', 'ilk' is commonly used to mean 'initial' or 'first' in a series.

  3. Yarışmayı 2. sırada bitirdi.

    He finished the competition in 2nd place.

    Word by Word: Competition-acc 2nd rank-at he-finished.

    A period after a digit is the most common way to write ordinal numbers in Turkish.

  4. Sınıfta kaçıncı sıradasın?

    What rank are you in the class?

    Word by Word: Class-in which-ordinal rank-at-you-are?

    The word 'kaçıncı' is the standard question word used to ask for a position or rank in a sequence.

  5. Dördüncü soruyu anlamadım.

    I didn't understand the fourth question.

    Word by Word: Fourth question-acc I-did-not-understand.

    Note the 't' to 'd' change in 'dört' (four) when adding the suffix, following the rules of consonant softening.

  6. 2'nci peronda bekliyorum.

    I am waiting at platform 2.

    Word by Word: 2nd platform-at I-am-waiting.

    When adding a suffix to a digit, use an apostrophe. Since 'iki' (2) ends in 'i', the suffix becomes '-nci' to avoid a vowel clash.

Common Mistakes

  • Using both a period and a suffix simultaneously.

    3.'üncü
    3. veya 3'üncü

    In Turkish, a period after a number already represents the ordinal suffix. You should use either the period (3.) or the suffix with an apostrophe (3'üncü), but never both together.

  • Forgetting consonant softening for the number four.

    dörtüncü
    dördüncü

    The final 't' in 'dört' must soften to 'd' because it is followed by a suffix starting with a vowel.

  • Suffixing every part of a compound number.

    onuncu birinci
    on birinci

    Only the very last number in a compound sequence should take the ordinal suffix.

How It Connects

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

-inci/-ıncıLevel 3Ordinal Numbers

Learn This First

To form ordinal numbers in Turkish, you need to know the basic cardinal numbers and how to apply four-way vowel harmony to the suffix. Additionally, you must be aware of consonant changes that occur when adding a suffix starting with a vowel to certain numbers.

Words in This Pattern

-inci