Ordinal number – nombre ordinal
Let's Define It!
What's an *ordinal number*?
An ordinal number is one that indicates the position or rank of something within a sequence.
In French, this is called un nombre ordinal.
While dates in English get to have an ordinal number, 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc, in French, it's only the first day of the month which takes an ordinal number (le premier). The remaining days all take a cardinal number (nombre cardinal).
Usually, French ordinal numbers are be preceded by a determiner:
le cinquième numéro, ma deuxième fille, les premiers arrivants.
Like typical French adjective, ordinal numbers also agree in number and gender with the noun they modify.
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Let's Pronounce It!
What does it sound like in French?
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Let's Have an Example or Two!
Can a little reinforcement do the trick?
Some examples of ordinal numbers:
Le premier venu recevra un présent. The first to arrive will receive a gift.
Claudette était la troisième gagnante. Claudette was the third winner.
C'est mon deuxième test de la journée. It's my second test of the day.
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