Ordinalzahlen
The English phrase "ordinal numbers" is Ordinalzahlen in German.
What does it mean word for word?
Ordinalzahlen is a compound noun consisting of Ordinal (ordinal) and Zahlen (numbers).
How does it change in a sentence?
The singular form of the term is Ordinalzahl. When using the plural form Ordinalzahlen with a definite article, it becomes die Ordinalzahlen. Examples of specific ordinal numbers include Erste (first), Zweite (second), Dritte (third), Fünfte (fifth), Sechste (sixth), Siebte (seventh), Achte (eighth), Neunte (ninth), Zehnte (tenth), Elfte (eleventh), Zwölfte (twelfth), Dreizehnte (thirteenth), Vierzehnte (fourteenth), Fünfzehnte (fifteenth), Sechzehnte (sixteenth), Siebzehnte (seventeenth), Achtzehnte (eighteenth), Neunzehnte (nineteenth), Zwanzigste (twentieth).
Did you know?
- In German, the word for 'numbers' Zahlen is a homonym for the verb zahlen, which means 'to pay'. This means a sentence about Ordinalzahlen could be confused with a sentence about paying a debt if the context is missing.
- While English uses four different abbreviations for ordinals ('st', 'nd', 'rd' and 'th'), German uses a single period after the digit for every single ordinal number, regardless of the value.
- In German, ordinal numbers function as adjectives and must decline their endings based on the gender, case and number of the noun they modify.
Examples in context
- Das erste Mal, als ich Deutschland besuchte.The first time I visited Germany
- Der vierundzwanzigste Dezember.The twenty-fourth of December
- Mein erster Tag in Berlin.My first day in Berlin
- Mein dritter VersuchMy third attempt
- Wir lernen heute Ordinalzahlen.We are learning ordinal numbers today.
- Kannst du mir Ordinalzahlen erklären?Can you explain ordinal numbers to me?
- Die Ordinalzahlen sind im Buch wichtig.The ordinal numbers are important in the book.
Example conversation
A language class in a classroom.
- FelixSarah, verstehst du die Ordinalzahlen?Sarah, do you understand the ordinal numbers?
- SarahNein, Felix, sie sind sehr schwer.No, Felix, they are very difficult.
- FelixIch kann dir helfen.I can help you.
- SarahDas ist sehr nett von dir.That is very kind of you.
