Ordinal numbers describe an order/rank.
Look at these ordinal numbers:
| English | French | Long-hand |
| 1st | 1er / 1re | premier (m) / première (f) |
| 2nd | 2e / 2d / 2de | deuxième second (m) / seconde (f) |
| 3rd | 3e | troisième |
| 4th | 4e | quatrième |
| 5th | 5e | cinquième |
| 9th | 9e | neuvième |
The main rule to form ordinal numbers is as follows:
(stripping off any mute -e if there is one first)
EXCEPTIONS
Now listen to these examples:
Je préfère la première robe.
I prefer the first dress.
Il a fini le troisième exercice.
He finished the third exercise.
Je suis arrivé sixième au marathon.
I came sixth at the marathon.
When to use deuxième vs second/seconde ?
On aime la deuxième chanson de l'album.
We like the second song of the album.
Il y avait deux gâteaux sur la table: j'en ai mangé un, tu as mangé le second.
There were two cakes on the table: I ate one, you ate the second one.
- Use second/e if there are only two options.
Ordinal numbers = describing an order/rank = 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc Fractions = describing a part of a whole = half, third, fourth etc
Also see Expressing fractions - general (numbers)
Examples and resources
J'ai réussi la neuvième fois.
I managed the ninth time.
Je préfère la première robe.
I prefer the first dress.
Je suis arrivé sixième au marathon.
I came sixth at the marathon.
On aime la deuxième chanson de l'album.
We like the second song of the album.
Il y avait deux gâteaux sur la table: j'en ai mangé un, tu as mangé le second.
There were two cakes on the table: I ate one, you ate the second one.
Il a fini le troisième exercice.
He finished the third exercise.
Q&A
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
22 December 2016
1 reply
Joakim asked : why one says "tiers monde" rather than "troisième monde" ?
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
22/12/16
Scott
Kwiziq community member
22 August 2018
1 reply
Cinquième
I think it would be useful to note in the lesson another small exception to the rule on forming the ordinal numbers. Namely, 'cinq' becomes 'cinquième' rather than 'cinqième'. No big deal, but I just wanted to mention it.
Aurélie
Kwiziq language super star
22 August 2018
22/08/18
Bonjour Scott et merci pour votre suggestion très utile !
I've now added this case to the lesson :)
Bonne journée !