Ordinal Numbers

Ordinals are mostly formed by adding -ième to a number, but the very first one is special and some others have irregular forms. Ordinals must match the gender of the noun: use premier for masculine and première for feminine.

The word for "first" is premier (masculine) and première (feminine); it sometimes shortens to 1er or 1re in writing. Use premier/première instead of unième for the first item.

"Second" is second (masculine) and seconde (feminine), and it is used especially when there are only two items. Otherwise, deuxième can be used more generally.

From third onward, ordinals normally follow the pattern of adding -ième to the cardinal number, and they agree in gender: troisième, quatrième, cinquième, etc. Use consistent forms depending on whether you want the systematic or more colloquial style.

Some numbers change spelling when forming ordinals, like cinquième (not cinqième) and neuvième (not neufième), so pay attention to these small changes. These standard forms appear in dictionaries and are expected in writing.

Ordinals agree in gender and sometimes in number when used with plural nouns or in expressions: for example, la vingtième page, les deuxièmes places. In some contexts, cardinals can replace ordinals for a more casual tone.

Ordinals tell position in a sequence and must match the noun in gender (and number if applicable). Use premier/première for first, choose between second/seconde and deuxième for second, and form others by adding -ième with attention to spelling changes.