A2 Numbers 6 min read Facile

Ordinal Numbers

Master the 'al...lea' and 'a...a' sandwich to correctly rank nouns by gender in Romanian.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Ordinal numbers in Romanian use the article 'al' and agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.

  • Use 'al' for masculine/neuter and 'a' for feminine nouns: 'al doilea' (the second).
  • Ordinal numbers change form based on gender: 'primul' (masc.) vs 'prima' (fem.).
  • They always follow the noun they describe: 'etajul al treilea' (the third floor).
Noun + (al/a) + Ordinal Number

Overview

Ever tried to tell a friend you live on the fourth floor? Or maybe you want to brag about being the first in line for those concert tickets? That is where ordinal numbers come in.
In English, we just add a little th to the end of most numbers. Romanian likes to make things a bit more interesting. Ordinals help us rank things, organize lists, and navigate the world.
They tell us the position of something in a sequence. Think of them as the ranking version of regular numbers. Without them, you would just be saying
I live on floor four,
which sounds a bit like a robot.
In Romanian, these numbers behave like adjectives. This means they care about the gender of the noun they are describing. If you are talking about a boy (masculine) or a girl (feminine), the number changes its outfit.
It sounds complicated, but there is a very logical pattern once you see it. Let's dive in and get you ranking like a local.

How This Grammar Works

Romanian ordinals work like a sandwich. You have the number in the middle, and you wrap it with specific markers. These markers tell us if the noun is masculine or feminine.
Unlike English first or second, Romanian ordinals usually use the cardinal number (1, 2, 3) as a base. For everything except the number one, you will follow a strict formula. For masculine nouns, we use the article al at the start.
For feminine nouns, we use the article a. Think of these as the bread of your grammar sandwich. The number itself gets a little suffix at the end to finish the thought.
It is like a secret code that signals
Hey, I am not just a number, I am a rank!
Even native speakers sometimes stumble when the numbers get very high, so don't worry. If you master the first ten, you are already ahead of the game. It is all about matching the gender and keeping the pattern steady.

Formation Pattern

1
Building these numbers follows a clear recipe. Let's break it down by gender.
2
The Number One (The Rebel): This one is irregular. For masculine, use primul or întâiul. For feminine, use prima or întâia. Primul is much more common in modern speech.
3
Masculine Formula: al + Cardinal Number + -lea. Take the number doi (two). Add al at the start and -lea at the end. You get al doilea. Easy, right?
4
Feminine Formula: a + Cardinal Number + -a. Take doi again. Add a at the start and -a at the end. You get a doua.
5
Spelling Tweaks: Sometimes the cardinal number loses a letter. For patru (four), the masculine becomes al patrulea. Notice the u stays, but we add a connecting sound. For șase (six), it becomes al șaselea.
6
Writing Shortcuts: In writing, we often use Roman numerals. You might see al II-lea for the second. It looks fancy, but it is just the same word you already know.

When To Use It

Real life is full of rankings! Here is where you will actually use these words:
  • Floors in a building: If you are visiting a friend in Bucharest, they might live at etajul al treilea (the third floor). Note that the ground floor is parter, not the first!
  • Centuries: History buffs, take note. The 21st century is secolul al douăzeci și unulea.
  • The First of the Month: Romanian only uses an ordinal for the 1st day of the month. 1 Decembrie is read as întâi decembrie.
  • Chapters and Lessons: When studying, you are on lecția a noua (the ninth lesson).
  • Competition Results: If you win, you are pe primul loc. If you are the runner-up, you are pe al doilea loc.
  • Job Interviews: You might be the al cincilea candidate interviewed today.
  • Ordering Food: "For my second course, I'll have..." becomes Pentru al doilea fel, voi lua....

When Not To Use It

Don't get over-excited and use these everywhere! There are traps.
  • Most Dates: From the 2nd day of the month onwards, just use regular cardinal numbers. 2 Mai is just doi mai, not
    the second of May.
  • Ages: You never say
    I am in my 25th year
    like an old Victorian novel. Just say Am douăzeci și cinci de ani.
  • King's Names: While English says Charles the Third, Romanian often uses cardinals in casual speech, though ordinals are technically correct in formal history.
  • Bus or Tram Numbers: If you are taking the number 5 bus, it is autobuzul cinci, not the fifth bus. Unless, of course, you are literally counting the buses as they pass you by.

Common Mistakes

Yes, even native speakers mess this up sometimes, especially with gender.
  • Forgetting the article: Saying doilea instead of al doilea. It sounds naked! Always include the al or a.
  • Gender Mismatch: Using al for a feminine noun like clasa (class). It must be a doua clasă, not al doilea clasă.
  • The First Confusion: Using unulea for first. There is no such word! Always use primul.
  • Pluralizing Ordinals: Beginners often try to make them plural. Usually, ordinals stay in their singular form because they point to one specific spot in a line.
  • Mixing up 2nd and 12th: Al doilea (2nd) vs al doisprezecelea (12th). Take your time with the long words; they are a mouthful!

Contrast With Similar Patterns

How do ordinals differ from cardinals? Cardinals (unu, doi, trei) just count things. They answer How many? Ordinals answer
Which one in the sequence?
Think of it like a grammar traffic light. The cardinal number tells you there are three lights. The ordinal number tells you the second light is yellow.
Another comparison is with possessives. Al meu (mine) uses the same starting article as al doilea. This is because ordinals in Romanian are historically linked to possession. It is like saying
the one that belongs to the number two spot.

Quick FAQ

Q

Is întâi the same as primul?

Yes, but întâi is often used for dates, while primul is used for everything else.

Q

Do I need to capitalize them?

No, unless they start a sentence or are part of a formal title.

Q

Are they used for street names?

Rarely. Usually, streets are named after people or dates, not ranks.

Q

How do I say the last one?

That is ultimul (masc) or ultima (fem). It functions just like an ordinal!

Meanings

Ordinal numbers indicate the position of an item in a sequence or series.

1

Sequence

Indicating order in a line or list.

“Ea a terminat pe locul al treilea.”

“Acesta este al patrulea capitol.”

2

Dates

Used for the first day of the month.

“Este întâi mai.”

“Ne vedem pe întâi iunie.”

3

Floors

Describing building levels.

“Locuiesc la etajul al doilea.”

“Liftul merge la al zecelea etaj.”

Ordinal Numbers Formation

Number Masculine/Neuter Feminine
1st primul prima
2nd al doilea a doua
3rd al treilea a treia
4th al patrulea a patra
5th al cincilea a cincea
6th al șaselea a șasea
7th al șaptelea a șaptea
8th al optulea a opta
9th al nouălea a noua
10th al zecelea a zecea

Reference Table

Reference table for Ordinal Numbers
Number Masculine (al ... -lea) Feminine (a ... -a) Common Usage
1st primul / întâi prima / întâia Dates, Winners
2nd al doilea a doua Floors, Lessons
3rd al treilea a treia Volumes, Rows
4th al patrulea a patra Chapters, Prizes
5th al cincilea a cincea Centuries, Grades
Last ultimul ultima Final position

Spectre de formalité

Formel
Etajul al doilea.

Etajul al doilea. (Directions)

Neutre
Etajul doi.

Etajul doi. (Directions)

Informel
La doi.

La doi. (Directions)

Argot
La doi.

La doi. (Directions)

Romanian Ordinal System

Ordinal Numbers

Masculine

  • al doilea the 2nd
  • primul the 1st

Feminine

  • a doua the 2nd
  • prima the 1st

Gendered Ordinals

Masculine (al...lea)
al treilea băiat the 3rd boy
al patrulea etaj the 4th floor
Feminine (a...a)
a treia fată the 3rd girl
a patra lecție the 4th lesson

How to build an Ordinal

1

Is the number 1?

YES ↓
NO
Go to Step 2
2

Is the noun masculine?

YES ↓
NO
Use 'prima'
3

Result: Use 'primul'

Where to use Ordinals

🏢

Buildings

  • • Etajul al cincilea
  • • Parter (Ground floor)
📅

Time

  • • 1 Decembrie (Întâi)
  • • Secolul al XX-lea
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Examples by Level

1

Acesta este primul meu curs.

This is my first course.

2

Ea este a doua.

She is the second.

3

Este al treilea.

It is the third.

4

Azi e întâi.

Today is the first.

1

Locuiesc la etajul al patrulea.

I live on the fourth floor.

2

Este a cincea oară când te sun.

It is the fifth time I call you.

3

El a terminat pe locul al șaselea.

He finished in sixth place.

4

A șaptea zi este duminică.

The seventh day is Sunday.

1

A opta minune a lumii este aici.

The eighth wonder of the world is here.

2

Acesta este al nouălea capitol din carte.

This is the ninth chapter of the book.

3

A zecea aniversare a fost minunată.

The tenth anniversary was wonderful.

4

Este al unsprezecelea client de azi.

He is the eleventh client today.

1

A douăsprezecea noapte este o piesă de Shakespeare.

Twelfth Night is a play by Shakespeare.

2

Al treisprezecelea pas este esențial.

The thirteenth step is essential.

3

A paisprezecea ediție a festivalului.

The fourteenth edition of the festival.

4

Al cincisprezecelea candidat a fost ales.

The fifteenth candidate was chosen.

1

A șaisprezecea sesiune a început.

The sixteenth session has started.

2

Al șaptesprezecelea secol a fost turbulent.

The seventeenth century was turbulent.

3

A optsprezecea aniversare este majoratul.

The eighteenth birthday is the age of majority.

4

Al nouăsprezecelea an de activitate.

The nineteenth year of activity.

1

A douăzecea parte din buget a fost alocată.

The twentieth part of the budget was allocated.

2

Al o sutălea participant a primit un premiu.

The hundredth participant received a prize.

3

A mia oară când explic acest lucru.

The thousandth time I explain this.

4

Al milioanelor de ani proces.

The millions-of-years process.

Easily Confused

Ordinal Numbers vs Cardinal vs Ordinal

Learners use 'doi' instead of 'al doilea'.

Ordinal Numbers vs Primul vs Întâi

Learners use 'primul' for dates.

Ordinal Numbers vs Al vs A

Learners use 'al' for feminine nouns.

Erreurs courantes

✗

al doi

✓

al doilea

Missing the suffix -lea.
✗

a doilea

✓

a doua

Wrong gender article.
✗

primul

✓

întâi

Using 'primul' for dates.
✗

doiul

✓

al doilea

Using cardinal instead of ordinal.
✗

al treia

✓

al treilea

Mixing gender articles.
✗

a patrulea

✓

a patra

Wrong gender suffix.
✗

al unu

✓

primul

Literal translation of 'the one'.
✗

al șaselea

✓

al șaselea

Correct, but check spelling.
✗

a optulea

✓

a opta

Wrong suffix.
✗

al zece

✓

al zecelea

Missing suffix.
✗

al o sută

✓

al o sutălea

Missing suffix.
✗

a mia

✓

a mia

Correct usage.
✗

al doilea-lea

✓

al doilea

Redundant suffix.
✗

a treia-a

✓

a treia

Redundant suffix.

Sentence Patterns

Acesta este ___ ___.

Locuiesc la etajul ___.

Este ___ oară când vin aici.

Am terminat pe locul ___.

Real World Usage

Navigation very common

A doua stradă la dreapta.

Housing common

Etajul al treilea.

Dates constant

Întâi iunie.

Competition occasional

Locul al doilea.

Business common

A treia ședință.

Social Media common

Top 3: al treilea loc.

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💡

The 'A' and 'Al' Trick

Think of 'Al' as the 'L' in 'Lord' (masculine) and 'A' as the 'A' in 'Alice' (feminine). It helps you pick the right starter!
⚠️

Ground Floor Alert

In Romania, the first floor is actually the one above the ground. Don't press '1' in the elevator if you want the street level; press 'P' for 'Parter'!
🎯

Roman Numerals

Romanians use Roman numerals (I, II, III) constantly for centuries and chapters. Brush up on them so you don't get lost in a history book.
💬

The 1st of December

National Day is always called 'Întâi Decembrie'. Using 'unu' here sounds very unofficial and slightly wrong to a local ear.

Smart Tips

Ask yourself: am I counting or ranking?

Am doi mere. → Am al doilea măr.

Check its gender before choosing 'al' or 'a'.

Al treia stradă. → A treia stradă.

Always use 'întâi' for the 1st.

Este primul mai. → Este întâi mai.

Remember 'parter' is ground floor.

Stau la etajul zero. → Stau la parter.

Prononciation

al-doi-lea

Suffix -lea

Pronounced as one syllable.

Rising

Este al doilea? ↑

Questioning position.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Remember: 'AL' is for the MALE, 'A' is for the SHE.

Visual Association

Imagine a line of people. The men have 'AL' hats, the women have 'A' scarves.

Rhyme

Al for him, A for her, ordinal numbers are a blur, but now you know for sure!

Story

Ion is the first (primul). Maria is the second (a doua). They are waiting in line for the third (al treilea) bus.

Word Web

primulal doileaal treileaal patruleaa cinceaal șaselea

Défi

Count the first five items on your desk using ordinal numbers.

Notes culturelles

Romanians are very precise with floors; ground floor is 'parter', first floor is 'etajul 1'.

Derived from Latin ordinals.

Conversation Starters

“

Care este a câta oară când vizitezi România?

“

La ce etaj locuiești?

“

Care este primul lucru pe care îl faci dimineața?

“

Ești al câtelea în familie?

Journal Prompts

Describe your daily routine using ordinal numbers.
Write about your favorite book chapters.
Describe a race you participated in.
What are the first three things you do when you travel?
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Test Yourself

Choose the correct ordinal number for a masculine noun (etaj - floor).

Locuiesc la etajul ___. (3rd)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: al treilea
Since 'etaj' is masculine, we use the 'al ... -lea' structure.
Choose the correct form for the feminine noun 'clasă' (class/grade).

Sora mea este în ___ clasă. (1st)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: prima
'Clasă' is feminine, so we use the feminine irregular form 'prima'.
Complete the sentence regarding the 2nd time doing something.

Este pentru ___ oară când vin aici.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a doua
'Oară' is a feminine noun, so 'a doua' is required.

Score: /3

Exercices pratiques

8 exercises
Fill in the blank.

Acesta este ___ (2nd) capitol.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: al doilea
Masculine ordinal.
Choose the correct form. Choix multiple

Ea este ___ (3rd) în clasament.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: a treia
Feminine ordinal.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Este al treia oară.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Este a treia oară.
Oară is feminine.
Order the words. Sentence Building

etajul / al / doilea / este

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Etajul al doilea este.
Correct word order.
Conjugate the ordinal. Conjugation Drill

1st (masc)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: primul
Irregular form.
Match the ordinal. Match Pairs

1st, 2nd, 3rd

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: primul, al doilea, al treilea
Correct sequence.
Is this true? True False Rule

We use 'al' for feminine nouns.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
We use 'a' for feminine.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: La ce etaj stai? B: Stau la ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: etajul al doilea
Correct ordinal usage.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

Ordinal numbers require the suffix '-lea' to indicate position.

No, cardinal numbers count quantity, not position.

Use 'întâi'.

No, it is 'prima'.

It is a neuter noun that acts masculine in singular.

Yes, 'primul' and 'întâi'.

Yes, it is mandatory.

Use 'al' + ordinal.

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In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

primero, segundo

Romanian requires the article 'al/a'.

French moderate

premier, deuxième

Gender agreement is more explicit in Romanian.

German low

erste, zweite

Romanian uses an article + number.

Japanese low

dai-ichi, dai-ni

Prefix vs Article.

Arabic partial

al-awwal, al-thani

Prefix vs separate word.

Chinese low

dì yī, dì èr

Prefix vs Article.

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