Ordinal numbers in German

In German there are cardinal numbers and ordinal numbers. To convert from a cardinal number to an ordinal number, a few changes are required. Today's article will guide you through how ordinal numbers are formed in German.

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1. Rules for ordinal numbers from 1 to 19

• For numbers from 1 to 19, the ordinal number is formed by adding the suffix "-te".

• There are exceptions: eins, drei, sieben und acht.

13

dreizehn

dreizehnte

19

neunzehn

neunzehnte

2. Rule for ordinal numbers from 20 onwards

• For numbers from 20 onwards, to form the ordinal number you simply add the suffix ''-ste''. There are no exceptions.

***Note:

• When converting a cardinal number to an ordinal number, it is treated as an adjective and is NOT capitalised when used alongside a noun.

Deutschland ist meine zweite Heimat.

(Germany is my second homeland.)

• However, when they stand alone, they are used as substitutes for a noun and must therefore be capitalised:

Ich bin immer die Erste!

(I am always the first one!)

• The endings of ordinal numbers are declined just like adjective endings. For example:

Ich wohne in der fünften Etage.

(I live on the 5th floor.)

 → Answering the question Wo → Dative → add the ending -en.

• Ordinal numbers can be written as a pure numeral, as a numeral followed by a full stop, or spelled out in words:2. – der/ die/ das zweite

Heute ist der 19. September 2022.

(Today is September 19, 2022.)

3. Rules for writing dates

• Ordinal numbers in German are commonly used to express dates. Dates can be written in 3 ways:

a. The day is written as a number, the month is written as a word. A period must follow the number indicating the day.

Heute ist der 15. August.

(Today is the 15th of August.)

b. Both the day and the month are numbers. A period must also be added after the numbers indicating the day and month.

Heute ist 15.08. .

(Today is the 15th of August.)

c. Both the day and the month are in word form. The rules stated above will apply.

Heute ist der fünfzehnte August.

(Today is the 15th of August.)

***Note:

• Dates are used with the preposition am (an + dem) to form a prepositional phrase indicating time in a sentence.

Am zwölften September fahre ich nach Berlin.

(On September 12th I am going to Berlin.)