Ordinal numbers
Ordnungzahlen
- Learn the ordinal numbers.
- Ordinal numbers
Learn essential German ordinal numbers like 'der erste' (the first), 'der dritte' (the third), and 'der zehnte' (the tenth) to describe dates, floors, and positions clearly in everyday situations.
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
Don't see progress when learning on your own? Study this material with a certified teacher!
Do you want to practice German today? That is possible! Just contact one of our teachers today.
Understanding Ordinal Numbers in German
This lesson covers the essential German ordinal numbers used to describe order, position, or rank, such as der erste (the first) or der dritte (the third). You'll learn how to use these numbers in everyday situations like dates, floors in a building, or positions in competitions.
Key Ordinal Numbers to Know
- der erste (the first)
- der zweite (the second)
- der dritte (the third)
- der fünfte (the fifth)
- der achte (the eighth)
- der zehnte (the tenth)
These are commonly combined with nouns like Platz (place) or Stock (floor) to give precise spatial or chronological information, e.g., der dritte Stock (the third floor) or der zehnte Februar (the tenth of February).
Practical Examples and Usage
Ordinal numbers frequently appear in phrases such as:
- Welcher Platz ist deiner im Wettbewerb? (What is your place in the competition?)
- Ich wohne im dritten Stock eines alten Hauses. (I live on the third floor of an old house.)
- Am zwanzigsten Mai haben wir Geburtstag. (Our birthday is on the twentieth of May.)
Useful Expressions for Everyday Situations
When giving directions or working with dates, ordinal numbers help specify order:
- Wir folgen der Reihenfolge: der zweite, der fünfte und der neunte Teilnehmer. (We follow the order: the second, the fifth, and the ninth participant.)
- Können Sie mir den achten Stock im Einkaufszentrum zeigen? (Can you show me the eighth floor in the shopping center?)
Differences Between English and German Ordinal Numbers
While English ordinal numbers are often shortened with suffixes (1st, 2nd, 3rd), German ordinal numbers are written fully as erste, zweite, dritte and preceded by the definite article and proper case endings depending on sentence context (e.g., der erste, die erste, das erste). Additionally, dates in German use ordinal numbers combined with the definite article (e.g., Am dritten Mai for "On the third of May"), unlike English which commonly uses cardinal numbers with suffixes.
Key phrases include:
- der erste Arbeitstag – the first working day
- im dritten Stock – on the third floor
- den achten Platz nehmen – to take the eighth place
- am zwanzigsten Mai – on the twentieth of May
These lessons would not be possible without our amazing partners🙏
