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, sequences, and locations such as der achte Stock (the eighth floor) effectively.
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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Learn German Ordinal Numbers
This lesson covers ordinal numbers (in German, "Ordinalzahlen"), an essential part of expressing order and position in German. You will learn how to say and use ordinal numbers from first (der erste) to tenth (der zehnte), including practical examples and contexts.
What Are Ordinal Numbers?
Ordinal numbers indicate the position of something in a sequence, such as "first," "third," or "eighth." In German, they are commonly used to describe dates, floors in a building, rankings, and sequences.
Common German Ordinal Numbers
- der erste (the first)
- der zweite (the second)
- der dritte (the third)
- der fünfte (the fifth)
- der achte (the eighth)
- der zehnte (the tenth)
Practical Examples
Here are some typical sentences using ordinal numbers:
- Ich wohne im dritten Stock eines alten Hauses. (I live on the third floor of an old house.)
- Er ist der Erste in seiner Klasse. (He is the first in his class.)
- Am zwanzigsten Mai haben wir Geburtstag. (We have a birthday on the twentieth of May.)
- Bitte nehmen Sie den achten Platz am Tisch neben dem Fenster. (Please take the eighth seat at the table next to the window.)
Related Vocabulary
Besides the ordinal numbers, certain nouns often appear together, such as der Platz (the place/seat) and der Stock (the floor of a building). These words help specify spatial or ranking positions.
Using Ordinal Numbers in Contexts
The lesson includes dialogues and scenarios where ordinal numbers are vital:
- At the office: Talking about the first working day and schedules.
- Shopping: Describing positions of products on shelves (rows).
- Giving directions: Explaining street directions with ordinal numbers.
Notes on German vs. English Usage
In German, ordinal numbers are formed by adding -te or -ste endings to cardinal numbers and are declined like adjectives, matching the gender, number, and case of the nouns they describe. For example, "der erste Tag" (the first day) vs. "die erste Straße" (the first street). Dates are expressed with ordinal numbers: "der zehnte Februar" (the tenth of February), differing from English where the ordinal is often just spoken or written as numbers followed by "th".
Useful phrases for practice include:
- Welcher Platz ist deiner im Wettbewerb? (What is your place in the competition?)
- Wir folgen der Reihenfolge: der zweite, der fünfte und der neunte Teilnehmer. (We follow the order: the second, fifth, and ninth participant.)
- Gehen Sie die zweite Straße rechts. (Go down the second street on the right.)
Summary
This guide prepares you to understand and use German ordinal numbers confidently in daily conversations, reading dates, understanding rankings, and giving or following directions. Pay attention to endings and context for correct usage.
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