Ordinal numbers
Ordnungzahlen
- Learn the ordinal numbers.
- Ordinal numbers
Learn how to use ordinal numbers in German to indicate order, dates, and positions with practical examples and dialogues. Master common ordinal terms like "der erste," "der dritte," and "der zehnte," and understand their use in everyday contexts such as offices, supermarkets, and city directions.
Vocabulary (14) Share Copied!
Exercises Share Copied!
These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.
Exercise 1: Reorder sentences
Instruction: Make correct sentences and translate.
Exercise 2: Match a word
Instruction: Match the translations
Exercise 3: Cluster the words
Instruction: Sort the following words into the two categories: "Ordinal Numbers" and "Spatial References".
Ordnungszahlen
Räumliche Hinweise
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Der erste
The first
2
Der sechste
The sixth
3
Folgen
To follow
4
Der siebte
The seventh
5
Der zweite
The second
Übung 5: Conversation exercise
Anleitung:
- On which floor does each person live? (On which floor does each person live?)
- Do you live in an apartment? On which floor do you live? (Do you live in an apartment? On which floor do you live?)
Teaching guidelines +/- 10 minutes
Example phrases:
|
Stevan wohnt im neunten Stock. Stevan lives on the ninth floor. |
|
Catherine lebt im zehnten Stock. Catherine lives on the tenth floor. |
|
Giulia wohnt im ersten Stock. Giulia lives on the first floor. |
|
Du wohnst in einer Wohnung im sechsten Stock. You live in an apartment on the sixth floor. |
|
In welchem Stockwerk wohnst du? On what floor do you live? |
|
Ich wohne im Erdgeschoss. I live on the ground floor. |
| ... |
Exercise 6: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 7: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Am ersten Januar ______ das neue Jahr in Deutschland.
(On the first of January ______ the new year begins in Germany.)2. Wir ______ uns am dritten Montag im Büro.
(We ______ on the third Monday in the office.)3. Im achten Stock ______ das Büro unserer Firma.
(On the eighth floor ______ the office of our company.)4. Der Wetterbericht ______, dass es am zehnten Tag des Monats regnet.
(The weather report ______ that it rains on the tenth day of the month.)Exercise 8: Planning a Family Reunion on the Eighth Floor
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Organisieren - Organize
Präsens
- ich organisiere
- du organisierst
- er/sie/es organisiert
- wir organisieren
- ihr organisiert
- sie/Sie organisieren
Feiern - Celebrate
Präsens
- ich feiere
- du feierst
- er/sie/es feiert
- wir feiern
- ihr feiert
- sie/Sie feiern
Nehmen - Take
Präsens
- ich nehme
- du nimmst
- er/sie/es nimmt
- wir nehmen
- ihr nehmt
- sie/Sie nehmen
Verteilen - Distribute
Präsens
- ich verteile
- du verteilst
- er/sie/es verteilt
- wir verteilen
- ihr verteilt
- sie/Sie verteilen
Kommen - Come
Präsens
- ich komme
- du kommst
- er/sie/es kommt
- wir kommen
- ihr kommt
- sie/Sie kommen
Kaufen - Buy
Präsens
- ich kaufe
- du kaufst
- er/sie/es kauft
- wir kaufen
- ihr kauft
- sie/Sie kaufen
Freuen - Look forward
Präsens
- ich freue
- du freust
- er/sie/es freut
- wir freuen
- ihr freut
- sie/Sie freuen
Exercise 9: Ordinalzahlen
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Ordinal numbers
Show translation Show answerszehnter, sechster, dreißigste, achter, erste, zwanzigste, achtzigste, hundertste
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Understanding Ordinal Numbers in German
This lesson introduces ordinal numbers which are used to describe position or order, such as “first,” “second,” “third,” and so on. Understanding how to use ordinal numbers is essential for telling dates, giving directions, and describing sequences.
Key Content and Examples
You will learn common ordinal numbers like der erste (the first), der dritte (the third), der achte (the eighth), and der zehnte (the tenth). These words help you answer questions about ranking and place, for example, "Er ist der Erste in seiner Klasse." (He is the first in his class) or describe locations such as "Ich wohne im dritten Stock eines alten Hauses." (I live on the third floor of an old house).
Using Ordinal Numbers in Everyday Contexts
The lesson contains dialogues set at the office, supermarket, and city center, showing practical uses of ordinal numbers for dates, seating, shelf locations, and directions. For example, "Der dritte Stock ist auf der linken Seite." means the third floor is on the left side.
Grammar Focus and Exercises
You will also practice verb conjugations that frequently appear with ordinal numbers, reinforcing your skills with sentences like "Wir treffen uns am dritten Montag im Büro." (We meet on the third Monday at the office). Additionally, you can organize vocabulary into categories like Ordinalzahlen (ordinal numbers) and Räumliche Hinweise (spatial references), enhancing your lexical understanding.
Comparing English and German Ordinal Numbers
In German, ordinal numbers agree in gender and case with the nouns they describe, unlike in English where ordinal numbers are invariant. For example, der erste (masculine singular nominative) corresponds to "the first." Also, German uses ordinal numbers not only for ordering but often to indicate dates, for instance, "der zehnte Februar" for "the tenth of February." Useful phrases include "Welcher Platz ist deiner im Wettbewerb?" (What is your place in the competition?) and "Kannst du mir den achten Stock im Einkaufszentrum zeigen?" (Can you show me the eighth floor in the shopping center?). These expressions are practical and common in daily conversations.
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