Ordinal numbers

What are Dutch ordinal numbers (rangtelwoorden)?

• Hoofdtelwoorden = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, … (one, two, three…)
• Rangtelwoorden = 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, … (first, second, third…)

In Dutch, rangtelwoorden answer the question “Which one in the order?”

• de eerste verdieping = the first floor
• de tiende les = the tenth lesson
• zijn twintigste verjaardag = his twentieth birthday

Basic formation: from cardinal to ordinal

For most numbers, you form the ordinal in two steps:

1. Take the normal number (hoofdtelwoord).
2. Add an ending: -de or -ste.

The key rule: -de vs. -ste

There are two endings. The choice is simple:

• From 1 to 19 → usually add -de.
• From 20 onwards → add -ste.

Self-check: In your head, form these:

• 7 → ______
• 15 → ______
• 30 → ______

Answers: zevende, vijftiende, dertigste.

Important exceptions you must know

Three ordinals do not follow the simple pattern:

• 1 → eerste (not eende)
• 3 → derde (not driede)
• 8 → achtste (extra t, not achste)

Tip: Learn these three as fixed vocabulary items. They are very frequent.

Spelling details that often cause doubt

A few small spelling changes are normal when you add -de or -ste:

• Double consonant stays:
  • tien → tiende
  • vijf → vijfde
• f / s changes in some cardinals, but the ordinal follows the cardinal:
  • vijf → vijfde (not vijftede)
  • zes → zesde (not zeste)
• acht → achtste has the extra t from the cardinal already.

At A1, it is usually enough to:

• Use the correct ending: -de or -ste.
• Remember the three exceptions: eerste, derde, achtste.

How to use ordinals in a sentence

In practice, you most often use ordinals with:

• floors / storeys: verdieping, etage
• days in dates
• appointments, meetings, lessons, times
• position in a series: first, second customer, etc.

Pattern to notice:

• Most ordinals go with de: de eerste, de vijfde, de twintigste.
• They behave like normal adjectives: they stand before the noun.

Step-by-step: form and use an ordinal

1. Identify the number (hoofdtelwoord).
   • Example: floor 6 → zes
2. Choose the ending.
   • Is it 1–19? → usually -de.
   • Is it 20 or more? → -ste.
   • Check exceptions: 1, 3, 8.
3. Make the ordinal.
   • 6 → zesde → zesde
4. Put it in a sentence.
   • Ik werk op de zesde verdieping.

Try it mentally:

• floor 10 → ______ verdieping
• day 18 → de ______ van de maand
• customer 50 → de ______ klant

Answers: tiende, achttiende, vijftigste.

Typical mistakes and how to avoid them

• Using -ste too early
  • *zevenste verdieping ❌
  • zevende verdieping ✔ (7 is < 20 → -de)
• Forgetting the exception for 1 and 3
  • *éénste dag ❌ → eerste dag ✔
  • *driede les ❌ → derde les ✔
• Spelling achtste without the t
  • *achste werknemer ❌
  • achtste werknemer ✔
• Mixing cardinal and ordinal
  • *Ik heb afspraak nummer vijfde. ❌
  • Correct options:
    • Ik heb afspraak nummer vijf. (cardinal)
    • Ik heb de vijfde afspraak. (ordinal)

Quick self-check: do I understand this?

• Can you explain in English when Dutch uses -de and when -ste?
• Can you form: vierde, negende, zestiende, zeventigste without looking?
• Do you remember the three special forms: eerste, derde, achtste?
• Can you say:
  • “the first lesson” → de eerste les
  • “the eleventh floor” → de elfde verdieping
  • “the twentieth of May” → de twintigste mei / de twintigste van mei

If you can do this, you are ready to use rangtelwoorden actively in conversations.