Fractional Numerals

Level 4Sounds Like droboví čislívniki

Fractions (e.g., 2/3) combine cardinal numbers (two) with ordinal numbers (third). In Ukrainian, the numerator is feminine, the denominator is a feminine ordinal, and the noun being measured is always in the genitive singular.

How It Works

Fractional numerals (дробові числівники) express parts of a whole. They follow specific grammatical rules for formation and government:

  • The Numerator (Чисельник): Uses a cardinal numeral in the feminine gender (agreeing with the implied word частина 'part'). For example: одна (1), дві (2), п'ять (5).
  • The Denominator (Знаменник): Uses a feminine ordinal numeral. If the numerator is 1, the denominator is in the nominative singular (одна третя). If the numerator is 2, 3, or 4, the denominator can be in either the genitive plural (дві третіх) or the nominative plural (дві треті). For numerators 5 and above, the genitive plural is used (п'ять десятих).
  • Noun Government: Formal fractions govern the genitive singular of the noun (e.g., дві третіх метра). Crucially, when the fraction declines, the noun remains in the genitive singular (e.g., з двома третіми метра).
  • Special Forms: Ukrainian uses special indeclinable forms for 'one and a half': півтора (masc./neut.) and півтори (fem.), which govern the genitive singular. However, півтораста (150) governs the genitive plural (e.g., півтораста кілометрів).
  • Mixed Numbers: When using 'з половиною' (with a half), the noun follows the government of the whole number (e.g., два з половиною кілометри uses the nominative plural because of два).
  • Decimals: Ukrainian uses a comma as a decimal separator, read using the word цілих (wholes). For example, 0,5 is нуль цілих і п'ять десятих.

Examples (4)

  1. Для рецепта потрібно дві третіх склянки молока.

    Two-thirds of a glass of milk is needed for the recipe.

    Word by Word: For recipe is-needed two thirds [of] glass [of] milk.

    Here, 'дві' is the feminine cardinal numerator, 'третіх' is the genitive plural ordinal denominator, and 'склянки' is the genitive singular noun.

  2. Ми проїхали одну четверту шляху.

    We drove one-fourth of the way.

    Word by Word: We drove one fourth [of] way.

    Since the numerator is 'одна' (1), the denominator 'четверта' stays in the nominative singular.

  3. Температура становить нуль цілих і п'ять десятих градуса.

    The temperature is zero point five degrees.

    Word by Word: Temperature constitutes zero wholes and five tenths [of] degree.

    This demonstrates a decimal fraction. Note that 'градуса' is in the genitive singular.

  4. Він з'їв три п'ятих яблука.

    He ate three-fifths of the apple.

    Word by Word: He ate three fifths [of] apple.

    Even though 'three' is plural, the noun 'яблука' remains in the genitive singular because it refers to parts of one apple.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the plural form of the noun after a formal fraction.

    дві третіх метрів
    дві третіх метра

    Formal fractional numerals always govern the genitive singular of the noun, even if the fraction is greater than one, because they represent a portion of a single unit.

  • Declining the noun along with the fractional numeral.

    додати до двох третіх склянок
    додати до двох третіх склянки

    While the numerator and denominator decline to match the sentence case, the noun following a fraction remains fixed in the genitive singular.

  • Using the wrong gender for 'one and a half'.

    півтора години
    півтори години

    The special fractional numeral '1.5' has two forms: півтора for masculine/neuter nouns and півтори for feminine nouns.

How It Connects

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Fractional NumeralsLevel 4

Learn This First

To understand fractional numerals, a learner must be familiar with ordinal numerals (used for denominators) and how cardinal numerals (used for numerators) govern the case and number of the words that follow them, specifically the genitive case.