Ordinal numbers
Numeri ordinali
- Learn the ordinal numbers.
This lesson introduces Italian ordinal numbers, essential for describing positions and sequences in everyday contexts. You'll learn key ordinal numbers from il primo (the first) to il nono (the ninth), plus il decimo (the tenth), and important position-related terms like il posto (the place) and l'ultimo (the last). The lesson presents useful phrases such as Il primo giorno di scuola è sempre molto emozionante and Ricorda di mostrare il biglietto al quinto controllore, helping you understand how to use ordinal numbers naturally. Practical dialogues guide you through booking meetings, ordering food, and asking for directions using ordinal numbers, reinforcing real-life conversational skills. You'll also practice the verb ricordare (to remember) in the present tense, integrated with ordinal expressions. By mastering these terms and examples, you'll confidently describe order, rank, and sequence in Italian, enhancing your communication in both formal and informal situations.
Vocabulary (13) 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: Divide the words based on the type of ordinal number or the description of position in the sequence.
Numeri ordinali (dal primo al nono)
Descrizioni di posizione o posto
Esercizio 4: Conversation exercise
Istruzione:
- 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:
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Stevan vive al nono piano. Stevan lives on the ninth floor. |
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Catherine vive al decimo piano. Catherine lives on the tenth floor. |
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Giulia vive al primo piano. Giulia lives on the first floor. |
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Vivi in un appartamento al sesto piano. You live in an apartment on the sixth floor. |
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A che piano abiti? On what floor do you live? |
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Vivo al piano terra. I live on the ground floor. |
| ... |
Exercise 5: Dialogue Cards
Instruction: Select a situation and practice the conversation with your teacher or fellow students.
Exercise 6: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct solution
1. Io __________ che il terzo giorno della settimana è martedì.
(I __________ that the third day of the week is Tuesday.)2. Tu __________ qual è il primo mese dell'anno?
(You __________ what the first month of the year is?)3. Lui __________ che l'ultimo mese dell'anno è dicembre.
(He __________ that the last month of the year is December.)4. Noi __________ di controllare il meteo ogni mattina.
(We __________ to check the weather every morning.)Exercise 7: The cooking contest with ordinal numbers
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Ricordare - Remember
Presente
- io ricordo
- tu ricordi
- lui/lei ricorda
- noi ricordiamo
- voi ricordate
- loro ricordano
Grammar Share Copied!
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Verb conjugation tables for this lesson Share Copied!
Ricordare to remember Share Copied!
Presente
| Italian | English |
|---|---|
| (io) ricordo | I remember |
| (tu) ricordi | You remember |
| (lui/lei) ricorda | he/she remembers |
| (noi) ricordiamo | we remember |
| (voi) ricordate | You remember |
| (loro) ricordano | they remember |
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Understanding Ordinal Numbers in Italian
This lesson introduces Italian ordinal numbers, essential for describing order or position in sequences like days, floors, or rankings. Suitable for A1 beginners, it covers basic forms from il primo (the first) to il nono (the ninth), plus some higher numbers like il decimo (the tenth) and expressions denoting place or position, such as l'ultimo (the last).
Key Ordinal Numbers
- il primo – the first
- il secondo – the second
- il terzo – the third
- il quarto – the fourth
- il quinto – the fifth
- il sesto – the sixth
- il settimo – the seventh
- il nono – the ninth
- il decimo – the tenth
- l'ultimo – the last
Usage in Context
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate sequence in time, place, or order:
- Days of the week: Il quarto giorno della settimana è giovedì. (The fourth day of the week is Thursday.)
- Building floors: Oggi siamo al nono piano dell'edificio. (Today we are on the ninth floor of the building.)
- Positions or rankings: Ricorda di mostrare il biglietto al quinto controllore. (Remember to show your ticket to the fifth inspector.)
Verb Focus: Ricordare (to remember)
The verb ricordare is often used with ordinal numbers to talk about recalling specific dates, events, or places. Its present tense conjugation is:
- io ricordo
- tu ricordi
- lui/lei ricorda
- noi ricordiamo
- voi ricordate
- loro ricordano
Example: Io ricordo che il terzo giorno della settimana è martedì. (I remember that the third day of the week is Tuesday.)
Practical Dialogues Using Ordinal Numbers
Simulated conversations highlight daily uses such as booking meetings (prima riunione), ordering food (primo piatto, secondo piatto), and asking directions (secondo ufficio). Practice examples help integrate vocabulary naturally.
Differences Between English and Italian Ordinal Numbers
In Italian, ordinal numbers must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify, unlike English which is generally invariable (e.g., "first day" vs. "prima giornata" for feminine). Also, Italian ordinal numbers are commonly preceded by the definite article (il primo, la seconda), which is not the case in English. Words like l'ultimo (the last) function similarly in usage but are a little more flexible depending on context.
Useful Phrases:
- Il primo giorno – the first day
- Il quinto controllore – the fifth inspector
- Il nono piano – the ninth floor
- Chi è l'ultimo in fila? – Who is the last in line?
Understanding these fundamentals supports everyday conversation about order, scheduling, and navigating places in Italian.
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