Les nombres ordinaux
This video is part of our free course beginners 1
The ordinal numbers
The rules
Ordinal numbers are formed by adding the suffix “-ième” at the end of most numbers. In English “ième” means “st, nd, rd, th.” If the number ends in a mute “e,” the “e” is dropped before adding the suffix.
Deux Deuxième. (2nd)
Trois Troisième. (3 rd)
Seize Seizième. (16 th)
Trente Trentième. (30 th)
Trente-quatre Trente-quatrième. (34th)
Cinquante Cinquantième (50 th)
Note
“-ième” pronounce “yem”.
Note
If the number ends with “s”, “ze” or “x” we pronounce a “z”.
Deuxième “duh-zee-yem”
The exceptions
Only the numbers listed below will not follow the rule.
Un Premier. (first)
Une Première. (first)
Cinq Cinquième. (add a “u”)
Neuf Neuvième. (“f” becomes a “v”)
Note
“un” is the only number with a feminine version “une”. “Premier” is for masculine words and “première” for feminine words.
Note
“Premier” and “première” are the ordinal numbers for 1. As a result, they can’t be used for 21st, 31st, 41st, 51st, 61st, and 81st. For these numbers, we will use “unième” instead of “premier.”
21st Vingt-et-unième
Note
Ordinal numbers are not used for the date in French, they are used with things like floors or time (first, second …), as well as, for Paris arrondissements.
Collective numbers
The rules
To express an approximate quantity, the suffix “-aine” is added to the number. If the number ends in a mute “e,” the “e” is dropped before adding the suffix.
You can’t turn every single number into collective numbers following the rule above, only the ones listed below can be turned in collective numbers. .
10 Une dizaine. (10 ish)
12 Une douzaine
15 Une quinzaine
20 Une vingtaine
30 Une trentaine
40 Une quarantaine
50 Une cinquantaine
60 Une soixantaine
100 Une centaine
Note
“-aine” pronounce “enn”. Collective numbers are feminine and always preceded by “une”.
The exceptions
1,000 Un millier
1,000,000 Un million
1,000,000,000 Un milliard
Note
If the number isn’t in the list above, simply add “environ” in front of the number to turn it into a collective number.
Environ 17 17 ish.
