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A2 adjective #1,500 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

quatrième

Top 1,500

At the A1 level, 'quatrième' is introduced as part of learning numbers and basic sequences. Students learn that to make an ordinal number, you usually add '-ième' to the cardinal number. For 'quatre', you drop the final 'e' and add the suffix. At this stage, learners use it for simple tasks like identifying the fourth item in a row of pictures, saying which floor they live on (if it's the 4th), or identifying the fourth day of the week (jeudi). The focus is on recognition and basic pronunciation. You might see it in simple sentences like 'Le quatrième chat est noir' (The fourth cat is black). It's important to understand that it comes before the noun. Learners should also be aware that 'le quatrième' and 'la quatrième' both exist depending on whether the object is masculine or feminine, even though the word 'quatrième' itself doesn't change.

At the A2 level, learners use 'quatrième' in more practical, everyday contexts. This includes giving and following directions ('Prenez la quatrième rue'), describing their school history ('J'étais en quatrième'), and talking about simple fractions or positions in a race. A2 students should be comfortable with the abbreviation '4e' and understand its use in addresses and building levels. They start to see 'quatrième' in common phrases like 'la quatrième fois' (the fourth time). At this level, the distinction between 'quatre' (quantity) and 'quatrième' (order) becomes crucial. Students also learn that in French, the 'first floor' is the 'premier étage', so the 'quatrième étage' is actually higher than they might expect if they are from the US. They also begin to use it to describe chapters in a book or tracks on a CD.

At the B1 level, 'quatrième' appears in more complex grammatical structures and specific cultural contexts. Students learn about the 'quatrième de couverture' when discussing literature and the 'Quatrième République' when studying French history. They can use the adverb 'quatrièmement' to structure an argument or a list of points in an essay. B1 learners should also be familiar with the use of 'quatrième' in car mechanics ('la quatrième vitesse') and in more abstract sequences. They start to understand the nuances of when *not* to use it, such as with monarchs (Henri IV) or dates (le 4 juillet). The word is used in discussions about social issues, like 'le quart-monde' (though this uses 'quart', it's related in the student's mind to the sequence of fourths). They can also describe positions in more formal competitions and rankings.

At the B2 level, the use of 'quatrième' extends to idiomatic expressions and more technical fields. Students might encounter 'le quatrième mur' in film or theater studies, discussing how actors interact with the audience. They use 'quatrième' in complex descriptions of data, such as 'le quatrième trimestre' (the fourth quarter of a fiscal year). B2 learners are expected to use the word with perfect agreement of the preceding article and to understand its role in more sophisticated sentence patterns. They might discuss the 'quatrième dimension' in a philosophical or scientific context. Their understanding of the French school system is deeper, allowing them to explain the significance of the 'classe de quatrième' as a transition year in the French 'collège'. They also recognize the word in legal or administrative contexts, such as 'le quatrième alinéa' (the fourth paragraph/sub-clause).

At the C1 level, 'quatrième' is used with total fluency in all its metaphorical and technical senses. A C1 learner can appreciate the stylistic choice of writing 'quatrième' in full versus using the abbreviation in different types of texts. They understand the historical weight of terms like 'le quatrième pouvoir' (the fourth estate/media) and can use it in political analysis. In literature, they might analyze the 'quatrième de couverture' as a marketing tool or a literary genre in itself. They are comfortable with the word in specialized fields like music theory (intervals) or advanced mathematics. Their use of the word is nuanced, perhaps using it to create rhythm in a speech or to precisely locate information in a dense academic text. They also understand the subtle difference between 'quatrième' and 'quart' in all contexts, including archaic or rare usages.

At the C2 level, 'quatrième' is a tool for precise and elegant expression. The learner can use it in high-level academic writing, legal drafting, or literary creation. They might explore the etymology of the word (from the Latin 'quartus') and how it has evolved in the French language. They can discuss the 'Quatrième République' with a deep understanding of its constitutional implications. In a professional setting, they might use 'quatrième' to describe complex organizational structures or sequences in a project. They are aware of rare or regional variations in usage and can play with the word's meaning in puns or creative writing. For a C2 speaker, 'quatrième' is not just a number; it's a versatile building block of the language that can be used to convey order, hierarchy, and cultural meaning with absolute precision and stylistic flair.

Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

quatrième in 30 Sekunden

Quatrième is the French word for 'fourth', used to indicate position in a sequence after the third item and before the fifth.
It is an epicene word, meaning it has the same form for both masculine and feminine singular nouns (le vs la).
In France, 'la quatrième' refers to a specific grade in middle school, and 'quatrième étage' is the fourth floor above ground.
Commonly abbreviated as '4e', it appears in directions, book terminology (quatrième de couverture), and various idiomatic expressions like the 'fourth wall'.

The word quatrième is the ordinal number in French corresponding to the cardinal number four (quatre). In its most basic sense, it identifies the position of an object, person, or concept that follows the third and precedes the fifth in a sequence. Unlike many other ordinal numbers in French which might change significantly from their cardinal roots, 'quatrième' maintains a clear phonetic and orthographic link to 'quatre', with the suffix '-ième' being the standard marker for ordinality in the French language. This word is versatile, functioning as both an adjective and a noun depending on the syntactic context. When used as an adjective, it agrees in number with the noun it modifies (though its form remains the same for both masculine and feminine singular), and as a noun, it can refer to a specific entity like a floor in a building or a grade in the French educational system.

Grammatical Category: Ordinal Adjective / Noun
Gender Agreement: Epicene (The same form for masculine and feminine singular: le quatrième, la quatrième)

J'habite au quatrième étage de cet immeuble ancien.

Beyond simple counting, 'quatrième' carries significant weight in French culture, particularly regarding the 'collège' (middle school). In France, the 'classe de quatrième' is the third year of secondary education, typically for students aged 13 to 14. It is often considered a pivotal year where the curriculum becomes more rigorous. Furthermore, in literature, the 'quatrième de couverture' refers to the back cover of a book, where the blurb or summary is located. This specific terminology is essential for anyone navigating a French bookstore or library. The term also appears in music theory as 'une quarte' (a fourth interval), though 'quatrième' might be used to describe the fourth note of a scale in certain pedagogical contexts. In the realm of physics and philosophy, 'la quatrième dimension' (the fourth dimension) usually refers to time, adding a layer of scientific depth to this otherwise common numerical term.

C'est la quatrième fois que je te demande de ranger ta chambre.

Ordinal Suffix: -ième (added to the root 'quatr-' after dropping the silent 'e')

Le quatrième coureur a franchi la ligne d'arrivée avec difficulté.

Elle a lu le résumé sur la quatrième de couverture.

Mathematical Use: Used to denote the denominator in fractions when combined with 'un' (un quart), but 'quatrième' is used for position (la quatrième partie).

Le quatrième chapitre du livre est le plus intéressant.

Using quatrième correctly involves understanding its placement and agreement. In French, ordinal adjectives like 'quatrième' almost always precede the noun they modify. For example, you would say 'la quatrième voiture' (the fourth car) and not 'la voiture quatrième'. This follows the general rule for 'BAGS' adjectives (Beauty, Age, Goodness, Size) and numbers, which are placed before the noun. Because 'quatrième' ends in a silent 'e', it is epicene, meaning it does not change its spelling whether the noun it describes is masculine (le quatrième garçon) or feminine (la quatrième fille). However, it must agree in number; if you are referring to multiple 'fourth' items in different sets, you would add an 's' to make it 'quatrièmes', though this is relatively rare in common speech.

Placement: Before the noun (e.g., la quatrième porte).
Abbreviation: 4e or 4ème (4e is the preferred modern standard).

Prenez la quatrième rue à droite après le feu rouge.

When using 'quatrième' as a noun, it often refers to a floor or a school level. In the context of buildings, 'le quatrième' is shorthand for 'le quatrième étage'. In the context of education, 'la quatrième' is shorthand for 'la classe de quatrième'. It's also important to distinguish 'quatrième' from 'quart'. While 'quatrième' indicates position, 'quart' indicates a fraction (one fourth or a quarter). For instance, 'un quart d'heure' is fifteen minutes, whereas 'la quatrième heure' is the specific hour that comes after the third. In sports and competitions, 'quatrième' is the position just outside the podium (the top three), often referred to as the 'médaille en chocolat' (chocolate medal) in a joking or slightly sympathetic way.

Mon fils entre en quatrième cette année au collège.

Ordinal vs Fraction: Quatrième = 4th (order); Quart = 1/4 (quantity).

Il a terminé quatrième de la course, juste au pied du podium.

La quatrième symphonie de Beethoven est moins connue que la cinquième.

Formal Usage: In legal or formal documents, 'quatrième' is often written out in full to avoid ambiguity.

Veuillez vous référer au quatrième paragraphe de l'article deux.

You will encounter quatrième in a multitude of everyday scenarios in French-speaking countries. One of the most common places is in an elevator (ascenseur). You will see the number '4' or '4e', and people will say 'Je descends au quatrième'. In the city, when following GPS directions or asking for the way, you might hear 'C'est la quatrième à gauche'. In schools, parents and students constantly discuss 'la classe de quatrième'. This grade is part of the 'cycle 4' in the French education system, which focuses on deepening knowledge before the final year of collège. In the media, during sports coverage like the Tour de France or the Olympics, commentators frequently mention the 'quatrième place', especially when a French athlete narrowly misses a medal.

Common Setting 1: Elevators and buildings (floors).
Common Setting 2: Schools (grade levels).

Attention, le train partira du quatrième quai.

In the literary world, 'quatrième' is a term every reader knows because of the 'quatrième de couverture'. When someone says 'J'ai lu la quatrième', they usually mean they read the back cover blurb to see if the book was interesting. In music, 'la quatrième' might refer to a symphony or a specific string on an instrument (like the G string on a violin). In political discourse, you might hear about the 'Quatrième République' (the French government from 1946 to 1958). Even in casual conversation, if someone is repeating themselves, they might exclaim, 'C'est la quatrième fois que je te le dis !' to express frustration. It's a word that bridges the gap between technical precision and emotional emphasis.

N'oublie pas de passer la quatrième quand tu seras sur l'autoroute.

Common Setting 3: Bookstores (back covers).

La quatrième de couverture est très accrocheuse.

Le quatrième mur a été brisé par l'acteur à la fin de la pièce.

Common Setting 4: Theater (the 'fourth wall').

Il a fini quatrième au concours de dictée.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers learning French is confusing quatrième with 'quatre' or 'quart'. While 'quatre' is the number 4, 'quatrième' is the position 4th. You cannot say 'J'ai quatre livres' to mean 'I have the fourth book'. Another mistake involves the gender of the noun. Even though 'quatrième' itself doesn't change spelling between masculine and feminine, the article preceding it must. For example, 'le quatrième' for a masculine noun like 'étage' and 'la quatrième' for a feminine noun like 'fois'. Learners often forget to switch the article. Additionally, in dates, learners often mistakenly use 'quatrième' instead of 'quatre'. In French, you say 'le quatre juillet' (July 4th), not 'le quatrième juillet'. The only exception for dates is the first of the month: 'le premier'.

Mistake 1: Using 'quatrième' in dates (e.g., *le quatrième mai* instead of 'le quatre mai').
Mistake 2: Confusing 'quatrième' (4th) with 'quart' (1/4).

Incorrect: C'est le quatre fois. Correct: C'est la quatrième fois.

Another nuance involves the French school system. English speakers might try to translate '8th grade' literally, but in France, the levels count down. 'La quatrième' is actually the third year of collège. Misunderstanding this can lead to confusion when discussing education. Furthermore, the abbreviation '4ème' is common, but purists and the Académie Française prefer '4e'. Using '4th' or '4st' is a common carry-over from English that should be avoided. Finally, when talking about centuries, French uses Roman numerals and ordinal logic. The 14th century is 'le XIVe siècle' (le quatorzième siècle), but sometimes learners get confused with 'le quatre' or 'le quatrième' when they see the number 4 in other contexts like 'Louis XIV' (Louis quatorze - cardinal number used for monarchs).

Incorrect: Louis quatrième. Correct: Louis quatre.

Mistake 3: Using 'quatrième' for monarchs.

Incorrect: Le quatrième de juillet. Correct: Le quatre juillet.

Il est au quatrième rang, pas au quatrième étage.

Mistake 4: Confusing 'rang' (row) and 'étage' (floor).

La quatrième est ma classe préférée.

Understanding quatrième is easier when you compare it to its linguistic neighbors. The most obvious comparison is with 'quatre' (four), the cardinal number. While 'quatre' tells you 'how many', 'quatrième' tells you 'which one' in a sequence. Another related word is 'quart' (quarter/fourth). As mentioned, 'quart' is used for fractions and time (un quart d'heure). There is also 'quarte', which is specifically used in music to describe the interval of a fourth, or in fencing to describe a specific position. 'Quartier' (quarter/district) shares the same root but refers to a section of a city. For example, 'le quatrième arrondissement' is a specific administrative district in Paris, which is often simply called 'le quatrième'.

Quatrième vs Quart: 'Quatrième' is ordinal (4th); 'Quart' is fractional (1/4).
Quatrième vs Quatrième de couverture: The latter is a specific noun phrase for the back of a book.

Il a mangé un quart de la tarte, mais c'était sa quatrième part !

In terms of other ordinal numbers, 'quatrième' follows the same pattern as 'deuxième', 'troisième', 'cinquième', etc. The only outlier is 'premier' (first), which doesn't use the '-ième' suffix. It's also worth noting 'quadruple', which means four times as much. In a more abstract sense, 'quatrième' can be compared to 'dernier' (last) if there are only four items in a set. If you are the fourth of four, you are both 'le quatrième' and 'le dernier'. In the context of the 'quatrième mur', it is a metaphorical term used in theater and film, similar to how we might talk about 'les coulisses' (backstage), but specifically referring to the invisible barrier between the actors and the audience.

Le quatuor a joué la quatrième œuvre du programme.

Quatrième vs Quatorzième: Don't confuse 4th (quatrième) with 14th (quatorzième).

C'est le quatrième jour de la semaine : le jeudi.

Le quatrième pouvoir désigne souvent la presse.

Political Metaphor: 'Le quatrième pouvoir' refers to the media/press.

J'ai garé ma voiture au quatrième sous-sol.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

Informell

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

C'est le quatrième livre sur l'étagère.

It is the fourth book on the shelf.

Ordinal numbers like 'quatrième' go before the noun.

Le quatrième jour est jeudi.

The fourth day is Thursday.

Jeudi is masculine, so we use 'le'.

Elle est la quatrième fille dans la ligne.

She is the fourth girl in the line.

Fille is feminine, so we use 'la'.

J'ai un quatrième stylo.

I have a fourth pen.

The word 'quatrième' doesn't change for masculine or feminine.

Regarde le quatrième chat.

Look at the fourth cat.

Use 'le' because 'chat' is masculine.

C'est ma quatrième pomme.

It is my fourth apple.

Possessive adjectives like 'ma' replace the article.

Voici la quatrième porte.

Here is the fourth door.

Porte is feminine.

Le quatrième enfant s'appelle Paul.

The fourth child is named Paul.

Enfant is masculine here.

Prenez la quatrième rue à gauche.

Take the fourth street on the left.

Common way to give directions.

J'habite au quatrième étage.

I live on the fourth floor.

'Au' is a contraction of 'à + le'.

C'est la quatrième fois que je visite Paris.

It's the fourth time I'm visiting Paris.

'Fois' is feminine, so 'la quatrième'.

Il a fini quatrième de la course.

He finished fourth in the race.

Used as an adverbial noun here.

Ma sœur est en classe de quatrième.

My sister is in the 8th grade (French 4ème).

Refers to the French school level.

Ouvrez votre livre à la quatrième page.

Open your book to the fourth page.

Ordinal numbers are used for pages.

Le quatrième candidat est le meilleur.

The fourth candidate is the best.

Comparing items in a sequence.

C'est le quatrième café de la journée.

It's the fourth coffee of the day.

Expressing frequency or sequence.

Lisez le résumé sur la quatrième de couverture.

Read the summary on the back cover.

Specific term for the back cover of a book.

La voiture est en quatrième vitesse.

The car is in fourth gear.

Used for mechanical gears.

La Quatrième République a duré douze ans.

The Fourth Republic lasted twelve years.

Historical term, always capitalized.

Quatrièmement, nous devons considérer le coût.

Fourthly, we must consider the cost.

Adverbial form for lists.

Il a obtenu la quatrième place au concours.

He got fourth place in the competition.

Common in rankings.

C'est le quatrième chapitre du nouveau roman.

It's the fourth chapter of the new novel.

Identifying sections of a work.

Le quatrième quai est pour le train vers Lyon.

The fourth platform is for the train to Lyon.

Used in transportation contexts.

Elle a raté la quatrième marche de l'escalier.

She missed the fourth step of the stairs.

Physical position.

L'acteur a soudainement brisé le quatrième mur.

The actor suddenly broke the fourth wall.

Theatrical/cinematic metaphor.

Le quatrième trimestre montre une hausse des ventes.

The fourth quarter shows an increase in sales.

Business/fiscal terminology.

Certains physiciens étudient la quatrième dimension.

Some physicists study the fourth dimension.

Scientific/philosophical concept.

Le quatrième pouvoir est essentiel à la démocratie.

The fourth estate is essential to democracy.

Metaphor for the media.

Le quatrième alinéa précise les conditions de vente.

The fourth paragraph specifies the sales conditions.

Legal/formal document terminology.

Il joue la quatrième symphonie de Brahms.

He is playing Brahms' fourth symphony.

Identifying musical works.

La quatrième corde de ma guitare est cassée.

The fourth string of my guitar is broken.

Technical musical use.

Nous sommes dans le quatrième arrondissement de Paris.

We are in the fourth district of Paris.

Administrative division.

La quatrième de couverture sert d'accroche publicitaire.

The back cover serves as a marketing hook.

Analyzing the function of the noun phrase.

Il a évoqué la quatrième dimension pour expliquer le temps.

He evoked the fourth dimension to explain time.

Abstract conceptual usage.

La quatrième section du traité est la plus controversée.

The fourth section of the treaty is the most controversial.

Formal academic/political context.

Elle a analysé le quatrième mouvement de la sonate.

She analyzed the fourth movement of the sonata.

Technical musical analysis.

Le quatrième volet de la saga sortira l'année prochaine.

The fourth installment of the saga will be released next year.

'Volet' is often used for parts of a series.

Il se situe au quatrième rang des priorités nationales.

It ranks fourth among national priorities.

Abstract ranking.

Le quatrième pilier de notre stratégie est l'innovation.

The fourth pillar of our strategy is innovation.

Metaphorical use in business.

La quatrième de couverture était étonnamment sobre.

The back cover was surprisingly understated.

Describing aesthetic qualities.

L'auteur joue avec la structure, omettant le quatrième acte.

The author plays with the structure, omitting the fourth act.

Literary analysis.

La quatrième dimension de l'être est souvent négligée.

The fourth dimension of being is often neglected.

Philosophical/spiritual context.

Il a disséqué la quatrième proposition du syllogisme.

He dissected the fourth proposition of the syllogism.

Advanced logic/philosophy.

La quatrième de couverture recèle parfois des trésors cachés.

The back cover sometimes conceals hidden treasures.

Poetic/literary description.

Le quatrième amendement fut le point d'orgue du débat.

The fourth amendment was the climax of the debate.

Legal history/rhetoric.

Elle a exploré la quatrième strate de la conscience.

She explored the fourth layer of consciousness.

Psychological/metaphorical depth.

Le quatrième état de la matière est le plasma.

The fourth state of matter is plasma.

Scientific precision.

La quatrième de couverture est le seuil de l'œuvre.

The back cover is the threshold of the work.

High-level literary metaphor.

Häufige Kollokationen

quatrième étage

quatrième fois

quatrième rue

quatrième chapitre

quatrième place

quatrième dimension

quatrième vitesse

quatrième mur

quatrième trimestre

quatrième pouvoir

Häufige Phrasen

en quatrième

la quatrième de couverture

au quatrième

pour la quatrième fois

la quatrième partie

le quatrième jour

un quatrième homme

la quatrième symphonie

le quatrième quai

la quatrième ligne

Wird oft verwechselt mit

quatrième vs quatre (the number 4)

quatrième vs quart (a quarter/fraction)

quatrième vs quatorzième (14th)

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

Leicht verwechselbar

quatrième vs quart

Quart is a fraction (1/4), while quatrième is a position (4th).

quatrième vs quatre

Quatre is the cardinal number (how many), quatrième is ordinal (which one).

quatrième vs quatorze

Quatorze is 14, often confused by beginners with 4.

quatrième vs quartier

Quartier is a neighborhood or district, not a number.

quatrième vs quarte

Quarte is a musical interval or a fencing position.

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

dates

Do not use for dates (except 'le premier'). Use 'le quatre'.

floors

Remember the ground floor is 0.

monarchs

Do not use for kings. Use 'quatre' (Henri IV).

Häufige Fehler

French uses cardinal numbers for dates, except for the 1st.
Monarchs use cardinal numbers in French.
Use 'quart' for fractions of time, not 'quatrième'.
Ordinal numbers must come before the noun.
'Fois' is feminine, so the article must be 'la'.

Tipps

Placement is Key

Always put 'quatrième' before the noun. In English, we say 'the fourth floor', and in French, it's 'le quatrième étage'. This is consistent for almost all ordinal numbers in French. If you put it after, it will sound very strange to a native speaker.

Book Lover's Term

If you are in a French bookstore, remember 'quatrième de couverture'. It's the back of the book. Instead of saying 'le dos du livre' (which actually means the spine), use this specific term to sound like a native. It's where you find the blurb!

School System Hack

To remember that 'quatrième' is 8th grade, just remember that French kids spend 4 years in 'collège'. The levels are 6, 5, 4, 3. So 'quatrième' is the second-to-last year of middle school. It's a year of hard work and growing up.

The Silent E

The final 'e' in 'quatrième' is silent. The word ends on the 'm' sound. Beginners often try to pronounce the 'e' like 'uh', but it should be 'ka-tree-em'. Keeping that final 'e' silent will immediately make your accent sound more authentic.

Shifting Gears

When driving a manual car in France, you'll hear 'passe la quatrième'. This means shift into fourth gear. It's a great practical use of the word. If the engine is revving too high, it's time for the 'quatrième'!

Abbreviation Standard

When writing, use '4e'. It's shorter, cleaner, and the official standard. You might see '4ème' on signs or in old books, but '4e' is what you should aim for in your own writing. It's the French equivalent of '4th'.

Ordinal vs Cardinal

Always ask yourself: Am I counting how many (cardinal) or saying which one (ordinal)? If you have four apples, it's 'quatre'. If you are eating the fourth one, it's 'la quatrième'. This distinction is the foundation of using the word correctly.

The Fourth Republic

When you hear 'La Quatrième', people might be talking about the period of French history from 1946 to 1958. It was a time of great change and colonial wars. Knowing this adds a layer of historical literacy to your vocabulary.

Musical Intervals

In music, a 'fourth' is usually 'une quarte', but you might hear 'quatrième' when referring to the 4th note of a scale. It's a subtle difference, but 'quatrième' is generally used for position, while 'quarte' is the name of the interval itself.

Navigation Tip

When following directions, 'la quatrième' is often used without a noun if the context is clear (like streets). 'Prenez la quatrième à droite' implies 'la quatrième rue'. Listen for this shorthand when using a GPS in French.

Einprägen

Wortherkunft

Latin

Kultureller Kontext

Post-war government (1946-1958).

8th grade equivalent in the US.

The importance of the back cover blurb.

Floors start at 0 (RDC).

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"Tu habites à quel étage ? Au quatrième ?"

"C'était comment, ta classe de quatrième ?"

"Tu as lu la quatrième de couverture de ce livre ?"

"C'est la quatrième fois qu'on se voit, non ?"

"Qui a fini quatrième à la course ?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Décrivez votre souvenir préféré de la classe de quatrième.

Si vous pouviez vivre au quatrième étage d'un immeuble à Paris, où serait-il ?

Écrivez sur une situation où vous avez fini quatrième.

Imaginez la quatrième dimension. À quoi ressemble-t-elle ?

Quel est le quatrième livre que vous avez lu cette année ?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Both are used, but '4e' is the officially recommended abbreviation by the Académie Française. You will see '4ème' very often in informal writing, advertisements, and even some textbooks. However, in formal documents, '4e' with a superscript 'e' is preferred. It is similar to how '1st' is used in English. Always try to use the simpler '4e' when possible.

No, the word 'quatrième' itself does not change because it already ends in a silent 'e'. It is what we call an epicene adjective. This means 'le quatrième garçon' (the fourth boy) and 'la quatrième fille' (the fourth girl) both use the same spelling for the ordinal number. The only thing that changes is the article (le/la) or the possessive adjective (mon/ma) that comes before it.

To say 'fourthly' when listing points in an argument or steps in a process, you use the adverb 'quatrièmement'. It is formed by taking the ordinal 'quatrième' and adding the suffix '-ment'. For example: 'Quatrièmement, il faut conclure.' (Fourthly, we must conclude). It is a very useful word for structuring essays or formal presentations in French.

The 'quatrième de couverture' is the technical term for the back cover of a book. In French publishing, the front cover is the 'première', the inside front is the 'deuxième', the inside back is the 'troisième', and the back is the 'quatrième'. It usually contains a summary of the book, a short biography of the author, and the barcode. It is a very common phrase in French literary culture.

The French school system counts down for secondary school (collège and lycée). Students start 'collège' in 'sixième' (6th), then 'cinquième' (5th), then 'quatrième' (4th), and finally 'troisième' (3rd). So, 'la classe de quatrième' is the third year of middle school, which corresponds to 8th grade in the US or Year 9 in the UK. It is a confusing system for foreigners but very logical to the French!

No, you should not use 'quatrième' for dates in French. Unlike English, where we say 'the fourth of July', French uses cardinal numbers for all days of the month except the first. So, you must say 'le quatre juillet'. The only exception is 'le premier' (the first). Using 'quatrième' for a date is a very common mistake for English speakers.

This is a theatrical and cinematic term that means 'to break the fourth wall'. It refers to the invisible wall between the actors on stage and the audience. When an actor speaks directly to the audience or acknowledges that they are in a play or movie, they are 'breaking the fourth wall'. It is a sophisticated term used in art and media criticism.

No, for the titles of monarchs, French uses cardinal numbers, except for 'the first'. So, Henri IV is pronounced 'Henri quatre', and Louis XIV is 'Louis quatorze'. If it were the first king of that name, you would use the ordinal: 'François Ier' (François premier). But for any number after one, you use the regular number, not the ordinal 'quatrième'.

The 'tr' in 'quatrième' is a common stumbling block. You should pronounce the 't' clearly and then transition quickly into the French 'r', which is produced in the back of the throat. It should not be a soft English 'r'. Practice saying 'quatre' first, and then add the 'ième' sound. The 'tr' should be crisp and energetic, not slurred.

The 'quatrième pouvoir' (fourth power) is a metaphorical term for the press and news media. The idea is that in a democracy, there are three official powers (legislative, executive, and judicial), and the media acts as a fourth, unofficial power that keeps the others in check by informing the public. It is a common term in political science and journalism.