Ordinal Numbers in Portuguese

Introduction

Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the position or order of something in a sequence. In Portuguese, ordinal numbers are formed by adding a suffix to the cardinal number. Understanding and using ordinal numbers correctly will allow you to accurately describe the order or position of things in everyday conversations.

General Rules

To form ordinal numbers in Portuguese, you will typically add the suffix "-ésimo" to the end of the cardinal number. However, there are a few exceptions to consider:

• If the cardinal number ends in "e," only the suffix "-nésimo" is added. For example, "tenth" is "décimo."
• If the cardinal number ends in "a," only the suffix "-ésima" is added. For example, "first" is "primeira."
• For the numbers 1, 2, and 3, irregular forms are used. For example, "first" is "primeiro," "second" is "segundo," and "third" is "terceiro."

Formation of Ordinal Numbers

Here is a table illustrating the formation of ordinal numbers in Portuguese:

Cardinal Number	Ordinal Number
1	primeiro
2	segundo
3	terceiro
4	quarto
5	quinto
6	sexto
7	sétimo
8	oitavo
9	nono
10	décimo
11	décimo primeiro
12	décimo segundo
13	décimo terceiro
...	...

Usage

When using ordinal numbers in Portuguese, it is important to note a couple of things:

1. Ordinal numbers typically agree in gender and number with the noun they are referring to. For example, "the first book" is "o primeiro livro" (masculine singular), while "the first books" is "os primeiros livros" (masculine plural).

2. There are cases where the ordinal number precedes the noun, but others where it follows. When it precedes the noun, it is placed before the article. For example, "the third day" is "o terceiro dia" (masculine singular), while when it follows the noun, it is joined by a hyphen. For example, "the day is the Fifth of July" is "o dia é o cinco de julho."

3. Some ordinal numbers have special forms when used in dates. For example, "first" is "primeiro" when referring to the date, as in "the first of January" is "o primeiro de janeiro."

Examples

Here are some examples of ordinal numbers in sentences:

1. Ela é a primeira a chegar na festa. (She is the first to arrive at the party.)
2. O quarto andar fica logo acima do terceiro. (The fourth floor is right above the third.)
3. Fui o segundo colocado na competição. (I was the second place in the competition.)
4. Ele é o décimo convidado a chegar. (He is the tenth guest to arrive.)

Remember to always pay attention to the agreement in gender and number between the ordinal number and the noun it is referring to.

Conclusion

Understanding how to use ordinal numbers in Portuguese will help you describe order and position accurately in conversation. Remember the general rules, formation, and usage we've discussed, and practice using ordinal numbers in everyday contexts to reinforce your understanding.