Unit 0
Ordinal numbers
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Introduction
Numbers [números] can be represented by digits or words and generally express quantity (cardinal numbers) or order in a sequence (ordinal numbers).
Ordinal numbers [números ordinales] express order in a sequence.
Form
Ordinal numbers agree with the noun they accompany not only in gender but also in number. They can be placed before or after a noun when they are assimilated to qualifying adjectives; in this case, they have the function of a determiner.
The first ten ordinal numbers in both genders and numbers, together with their abbreviations, are:
| Abreviatura de masculino | Número en masculino (singular/plural) |
|---|---|
| 1.o /os | primero/primeros |
| 2.o/os | segundo/segundos |
| 3.o/os | tercero/terceros |
| 4.o/os | cuarto/cuartos |
| 5.o/os | quinto/quintos |
| 6.o/os | sexto/sextos |
| 7.o/os | séptimo/séptimos |
| 8.o/os | octavo/octavos |
| 9.o/os | noveno/novenos |
| 10.o/os | décimo/décimos |
| Abreviatura de femenino | Número en femenino (singular/plural) |
|---|---|
| 1.a/as | primera/primeras |
| 2.a/as | segunda/segundas |
| 3.a/as | tercera/terceras |
| 4.a/as | cuarta/cuartas |
| 5.a/as | quinta/quintas |
| 6.a/as | sexta/sextas |
| 7.a/as | séptima/séptimas |
| 8.a/as | octava/octavas |
| 9.a/as | novena/novenas |
| 10.a/as | décima/décimas |
NOTE: The ordinal numbers primero and tercero appear in their apocopated form primer (abbreviated 1.er) and tercer (3.er) before masculine nouns in the singular.
Example
- Este es mi segundo coche;
- Tu bebé es el octavo que nace hoy;
- Ella ha cumplido su décimo cumpleaños;
- Es el séptimo día de agosto;
- A ver qué echan en la sexta cadena;
- La historia comenzó el primer año después de Cristo.
Use
Summary
Ordinal numbers express an order, a sequence. In Spanish, they can come before or after the noun and agree with it.
For example:
— «Lucas es mi primer hijo» = 1st masculine singular;
— «Ella es mi segunda hija» = 2nd femenine singular;
— «Los gemelos son sus primeros hijos» = 1st masculine plural.
Check the contents of the {Form} section. Then move on to the {Example} section, which shows you the usage in context.
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