nombres ordinaux
The English phrase "ordinal numbers" is nombres ordinaux in French.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of nombres, meaning "numbers" and ordinaux, which is the adjective for "ordinal".
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the masculine plural form because nombre is a masculine noun. Its singular form is nombre ordinal. Specific ordinal numbers follow different patterns, such as premier/première for 1st and quatrième for 4th.
Did you know?
- When writing dates, French speakers use the ordinal premier for the 'first' of the month, but use the cardinal number for all other days, such as le deux for the 'second'.
- French has a specific word avant-dernier to describe the 'penultimate' or 'second-to-last' position, which is used more frequently in conversation than the English equivalent.
- The word premier is the only ordinal number in French that changes its spelling entirely between masculine and feminine forms. All other ordinals simply add an e to the end.
Examples in context
- Je ne comprends pas les nombres ordinaux.I don't understand ordinal numbers.
- Il faut utiliser des nombres ordinaux ici.You have to use ordinal numbers here.
- Les nombres ordinaux sont utiles pour les dates.Ordinal numbers are useful for dates.
Example conversation
Chloé and Gabriel are studying French grammar at a cafe.
- ChloéEst-ce que tu connais les nombres ordinaux ?Do you know ordinal numbers?
- GabrielOui, mais je les oublie souvent.Yes, but I often forget them.
- ChloéOn peut les réviser ensemble, Gabriel.We can review them together, Gabriel.
- GabrielC'est une excellente idée, Chloé.That is an excellent idea, Chloé.
