Ordinals: a complete guide to German ordinal numbers, including formation, usage with articles and cases, examples, and exceptions.
German ordinal numbers (Ordnungszahlen) express position or order in a sequence (e.g., first, second, third). Unlike cardinal numbers, which count quantity, ordinal numbers specify "which one" in a sequence. German ordinals are mostly regular, formed by adding suffixes to cardinal numbers, and are used with definite articles and appropriate case endings. This guide covers how to form ordinals, use them in context, and includes special cases for common exceptions.
Forming Ordinals
German ordinal numbers are formed by adding -te to 1–19 and -ste from 20 onward. For example:
- → erste
- → zweite
- → dritte
- → zwanzigste
These forms are the "base" or "stem" for further inflection with articles and cases.
___ Tag (der erste Tag)
What is the correct German ordinal for 'first'?
erste
'Erste' is the correct form of the ordinal for 'first' in German, following the rule of adding -te for numbers 1–19.
Ordinal Endings
Ordinal endings depend on the gender, number, and case of the noun they modify. The base form takes these endings like adjectives following a definite article:
| Case / Gender | Masculine | Feminine | Neuter | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| Accusative | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| Dative | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| Genitive | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Example: der dritte Tag (the third day), die dritte Woche (the third week).
Using Ordinals with Articles
Ordinals are always used with definite articles (der, die, das) when modifying nouns:
- der erste Tag (the first day)
- die zweite Stunde (the second hour)
- das dritte Buch (the third book)
They can also stand alone with the article to mean "the first one," "the second one," etc.:
- Ich nehme den ersten. (I'll take the first one.)
Ordinals Without Nouns
When the noun is clear from context, ordinals can be used as pronouns with the article:
- Wer kommt zuerst? – Ich komme als erste. (Who comes first? – I come first.)
- Der zweite darf gehen. (The second may go.)
Examples
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Am ersten Tag… | On the first day… |
| Sie kam als zweite. | She came second. |
| Der dritte ist weg. | The third is gone. |
Special Cases and Exceptions
st, 2nd, 3rd
The first three ordinals have unique stems:
| Number | German Ordinal | English |
|---|---|---|
| erste | first | |
| zweite | second | |
| dritte | third |
Abbreviations
German ordinals are often abbreviated with a number and a period:
- . = erste (first)
- . = zweite (second)
- . = dritte (third)
- . = zwanzigste (twentieth)
Example: 3. Mai = der dritte Mai (the third of May).
Ordinals Beyond
For numbers above 20, use the cardinal number with -ste:
- → einundzwanzigste
- → dreißigste
- → hundertste
Example: der einundzwanzigste Geburtstag (the 21st birthday).
How do you form German ordinal numbers above 20?
Use the cardinal number followed by -ste (e.g., einundzwanzigste)
For numbers above 20, German ordinals are formed by taking the full cardinal number and adding the suffix -ste.
Conclusion
German ordinal numbers are regular and follow predictable patterns:
- Use -te for 1–19, -ste from 20 onward.
- Add adjective endings to match the noun’s gender, number, and case.
- Use definite articles before ordinals.
- The first three ordinals have unique stems.
- Ordinals can be used as pronouns with articles.
- Use abbreviations with numbers and a period.
With practice, using German ordinals becomes a smooth part of expressing order and sequence.
Flashcards (1 of 6)
- English: On the first day…
Last updated: Thu Jun 12, 2025
