Ordinal numbers
Numeri ordinali
- Learn the ordinal numbers.
- 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: Classify the words based on common ordinal numbers or special indicating positions.
Numeri ordinali comuni
Posizioni particolari
Exercise 4: Translate and use in a sentence
Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.
1
Il nono
The ninth
2
Il sesto
The sixth
3
Il terzo
The third
4
L'ottavo
The eighth
5
Il quinto
The fifth
Esercizio 5: 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:
|
Stevan vive al nono piano. Stevan lives on the ninth floor. |
|
Catherine vive al decimo piano. Catherine lives on the tenth floor. |
|
Giulia vive al primo piano. Giulia lives on the first floor. |
|
Vivi in un appartamento al sesto piano. You live in an apartment on the sixth floor. |
|
A che piano abiti? On what floor do you live? |
|
Vivo al piano terra. 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. Io ______ che la riunione è il primo lunedì del mese.
(I ______ that the meeting is on the first Monday of the month.)2. Tu ______ che il secondo martedì è giorno festivo?
(You ______ that the second Tuesday is a holiday?)3. Lui ______ bene l'ottavo posto nella gara.
(He ______ well the eighth place in the race.)4. Noi ______ l’importanza della ventesima settimana dell’anno.
(We ______ the importance of the twentieth week of the year.)Exercise 8: The Photography Contest
Instruction:
Verb Tables
Ricordare - Remember
Presente
- io ricordo
- tu ricordi
- lui/lei ricorda
- noi ricordiamo
- voi ricordate
- loro ricordano
Partecipare - Participate
Presente
- io partecipo
- tu partecipi
- lui/lei partecipa
- noi partecipiamo
- voi partecipate
- loro partecipano
Exercise 9: I numeri ordinali
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Grammar: Ordinal numbers
Show translation Show answersquinto, quarta, nono, quarto, sesto, terzo, settimo, primo
Grammar Share Copied!
It's not the most exciting thing, we admit, but it’s absolutely essential (and we promise it'll pay off)!
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 |
Don't see progress when learning on your own? Study this material with a certified teacher!
Do you want to practice Italian today? That is possible! Just contact one of our teachers today.
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.
These lessons would not be possible without our amazing partners🙏
