Have you ever found yourself fumbling for words when trying to express ‘first,’ ‘second,’ or ‘third’ in German? Whether you’re setting a date, describing a sequence, or simply trying to sound more natural in conversation, mastering ordinal numbers is an essential step towards fluency. Unlike their simpler cardinal counterparts (one, two, three), German ordinal numbers come with their own set of rules, declensions, and fascinating quirks. But fear not, for by the end of this comprehensive guide, you’ll not only understand how to form them but also confidently apply them in a myriad of real-world scenarios, transforming your German from good to truly great.
The Building Blocks: How to Form German Ordinal Numbers
At their core, German ordinal numbers are formed by adding specific suffixes to their cardinal number base. However, these suffixes change depending on the magnitude of the number and sometimes require minor spelling adjustments.
For Numbers 1 through 19: Add ‘-te’
For most numbers up to nineteen, you simply add -te to the cardinal number. However, there are a few crucial exceptions you must memorize:
- eins → erste (not ‘einste’)
- drei → dritte (not ‘dreite’)
- sieben → siebte (the ‘en’ is dropped from ‘sieben’)
- acht → achte (an extra ‘t’ is dropped from ‘acht’)
Examples:
- zwei → zweite
- vier → vierte
- neun → neunte
- zwölf → zwölfte
For Numbers 20 and Above: Add ‘-ste’
For all cardinal numbers from twenty upwards, the suffix changes to -ste. This rule is much more consistent, making larger ordinal numbers relatively straightforward.
Examples:
- zwanzig → zwanzigste
- einundzwanzig → einundzwanzigste
- dreißig → dreißigste
- hundert → hundertste
- tausend → tausendste
Quick Reference Table: Common Ordinal Numbers
| Cardinal Number | Ordinal Number | English |
|---|---|---|
| eins | erste | first |
| zwei | zweite | second |
| drei | dritte | third |
| vier | vierte | fourth |
| fünf | fünfte | fifth |
| sechs | sechste | sixth |
| sieben | siebte | seventh |
| acht | achte | eighth |
| neun | neunte | ninth |
| zehn | zehnte | tenth |
| zwanzig | zwanzigste | twentieth |
| einhundert | hundertste | hundredth |
The Crucial Step: Declining Ordinal Numbers Like Adjectives
This is where many learners stumble, but it’s absolutely vital. German ordinal numbers function grammatically like adjectives. This means they must agree in gender, number, and case with the noun they modify. Since they almost invariably appear with an article (definite, indefinite, or possessive pronoun), they primarily follow the rules of weak adjective declension.
Weak Declension of Ordinal Numbers
When an ordinal number is preceded by a definite article (der, die, das, die), a demonstrative pronoun (dieser, jener), or a possessive pronoun (mein, dein, sein, etc.), it takes the weak declension endings. The ending will always be either -e or -en.
| Case | Masculine (der erste) | Feminine (die erste) | Neuter (das erste) | Plural (die ersten) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der erste Mann | die erste Frau | das erste Kind | die ersten Bücher |
| Accusative | den ersten Mann | die erste Frau | das erste Kind | die ersten Bücher |
| Dative | dem ersten Mann | der ersten Frau | dem ersten Kind | den ersten Büchern |
| Genitive | des ersten Mannes | der ersten Frau | des ersten Kindes | der ersten Bücher |
Key takeaway: Notice how the endings are almost always -en, except for Nominative Masculine, Nominative Feminine, Nominative Neuter, and Accusative Feminine, and Accusative Neuter, where it’s -e. This pattern is consistent with weak adjective declension.
Putting Them to Use: Common Contexts for Ordinal Numbers
Now that you know how to form and decline them, let’s explore the most common scenarios where you’ll use German ordinal numbers.
Dates
Ordinal numbers are indispensable for expressing dates in German. They always take the dative case when used with ‘am’ (on the) or simply the nominative when stating the day itself.
- Heute ist der erste Mai. (Today is the first of May. – Nominative)
- Wir treffen uns am fünften Juli. (We meet on the fifth of July. – Dative)
- Der dritte Oktober ist ein Feiertag in Deutschland. (The third of October is a holiday in Germany. – Nominative)
Centuries
When referring to centuries, ordinal numbers are always used with the definite article and usually in the dative case with ‘im’ (in the).
- Wir leben im einundzwanzigsten Jahrhundert. (We live in the twenty-first century.)
- Die industrielle Revolution begann im achtzehnten Jahrhundert. (The Industrial Revolution began in the eighteenth century.)
Ranks, Floors, and Sequences
Ordinal numbers are perfect for describing order, position, or sequence.
- Er gewann den ersten Preis. (He won the first prize. – Accusative)
- Ich wohne im dritten Stock. (I live on the third floor. – Dative)
- Bitte nehmen Sie die zweite Tür links. (Please take the second door on the left. – Accusative)
Monarchs and Popes
When referring to monarchs or popes, the ordinal number follows the name and is capitalized, acting like a noun.
- König Ludwig der Vierzehnte (King Louis XIV)
- Papst Johannes Paul der Zweite (Pope John Paul II)
Beyond the Basics: Special Considerations
Writing Ordinal Numbers as Digits
In German, when writing ordinal numbers as digits, you add a period after the number. This period indicates that it’s an ordinal, not a cardinal, number.
- 1. (erste)
- 2. (zweite)
- 3. (dritte)
Example: Am 1. Mai haben wir frei. (On May 1st, we have the day off.)
Ordinal Adverbs: The ‘-ens’ Suffix
For enumerating points or steps, German uses ordinal adverbs, which are formed by adding -ens to the ordinal number base (without declension).
- erstens (firstly)
- zweitens (secondly)
- drittens (thirdly)
- viertens (fourthly)
Example: Erstens müssen wir planen, zweitens müssen wir handeln. (Firstly, we must plan; secondly, we must act.)
Conclusion: Count Your Way to Fluency
Mastering German ordinal numbers might seem like a small detail, but it significantly enhances your ability to communicate precisely and naturally. From setting appointments to discussing historical events, these numbers are indispensable. Remember the core rules: ‘-te’ for 1-19 (with exceptions), ‘-ste’ for 20+, and always, always decline them like adjectives, predominantly using weak declension. Practice using them in sentences, pay attention to their endings in native speech, and soon you’ll be counting your way to German fluency with confidence. Viel Erfolg!
