Ordinal numbers are an essential part of language, used to describe the order or sequence of elements in a list. In Spanish, ordinal numbers are no different, and they come with their unique set of rules and patterns. Let’s explore how to express ordinal numbers in Spanish, for 1 to 10, 11 to 32, and even higher numbers.
1 – 10
1 – First – Primero
2 – Second – Segundo
3 – Third – Tercero
4 – Fourth – Cuarto
5 – Fifth – Quinto
6 – Sixth – Sexto
7 – Seventh – Séptimo
8 – Eighth – Octavo
9 – Ninth – Noveno
10 – Tenth – Décimo
In Spanish, ordinal numbers from one to ten are generally formed by adding “-o” to the cardinal numbers (with some exceptions). Notice that “primero” is used instead of “uno” for the number one, and “tercero” deviates from the pattern slightly. These variations are unique but relatively straightforward to remember.
11 – 32
11 – Eleventh – Undécimo
12 – Twelfth – Duodécimo
13 – Thirteenth – Decimotercero
14 – Fourteenth – Decimocuarto
15 – Fifteenth – Decimoquinto
16 – Sixteenth – Decimosexto
17 – Seventeenth – Decimoséptimo
18 – Eighteenth – Decimoctavo
19 – Nineteenth – Decimonoveno
20 – Twentieth – Vigésimo
21 – Twenty-first – Vigésimo primero
22 – Twenty-second – Vigésimo segundo
23 – Twenty-third – Vigésimo tercero
24 – Twenty-fourth – Vigésimo cuarto
25 – Twenty-fifth – Vigésimo quinto
26 – Twenty-sixth – Vigésimo sexto
27 – Twenty-seventh – Vigésimo séptimo
28 – Twenty-eighth – Vigésimo octavo
29 – Twenty-ninth – Vigésimo noveno
30 – Thirtieth – Trigésimo
31 – Thirty-first – Trigésimo primero
32 – Thirty-second – Trigésimo segundo
From eleven to thirty, Spanish ordinal numbers are formed by adding “-avo” to the corresponding cardinal number, except for “undécimo” and “vigésimo primero.” After thirty, the pattern becomes more regular, and numbers are formed with the cardinal number and “-avo” suffix.
Higher Numbers
40 – Fortieth – Cuadragésimo
50 – Fiftieth – Quincuagésimo
60 – Sixtieth – Sexagésimo
70 – Seventieth – Septuagésimo
80 – Eightieth – Octogésimo
90 – Ninetieth – Nonagésimo
100 – Hundredth – Centésimo
101 – Hundred and First – Centésimo primero
107 – Hundred and Seventh – Centésimo séptimo
125 – Hundred and Twenty-fifth – Centésimo vigésimo quinto
200 – Two Hundredth – Ducentésimo
300 – Three Hundredth – Tricentésimo
400 – Four Hundredth – Cuadringentésimo
500 – Five Hundredth – Quingentésimo
600 – Six Hundredth – Sexcentésimo
700 – Seven Hundredth – Septingentésimo
800 – Eight Hundredth – Octingentésimo
900 – Nine Hundredth – Noningentésimo
1000 – Thousandth – Milésimo
1001 – Thousand and First – Milésimo primero
1100 – Thousand, One Hundredth – Milésimo centésimo
2000 – Two Thousandth – Dos milésimo
1000000 – Millionth – Millonésimo
1000000000 – Billionth – Mil millonésimo
In higher numbers, the ordinal form is created by adding the “-ésimo” suffix to the corresponding cardinal number. When reaching numbers like 100, the pattern shifts slightly, forming “centésimo” and subsequently adding “-avo” for numbers like 101 and 107. For 1000 and multiples of it, “milésimo” is used as the base.
Example Sentences
Llegó en primer lugar. – He came in first place.
Mi segundo carro era azul. – My second car was blue.
Conclusión
In conclusion, learning how to say ordinal numbers in Spanish is a matter of understanding the pattern behind the suffixes and applying them to the cardinal numbers. Numbers from one to ten exhibit unique forms, while those from 11 to 32 follow a more straightforward pattern. For higher numbers, “ésimo” is the key to forming the ordinal numbers in Spanish, and understanding the variations around 1000 will allow you to express any ordinal number with ease. Practice and repetition will undoubtedly solidify your grasp of these essential linguistic elements.