French ordinal numbers are used to describe the position of something in a sequence.

Table of Contents

They answer the question:

“Which one?”

Examples include:

Ordinal numbers are commonly used when talking about:

French Ordinal Numbers 1–20

Here are the most common French ordinal numbers.

How French Ordinal Numbers Are Formed

Most French ordinal numbers are formed by adding the ending:

-ième

to the cardinal number.

Examples:

quatre → quatrième
six → sixième
dix → dixième

Some ordinal numbers change slightly when the -ième ending is added.

Examples:

Cardinal	Ordinal
cinq	cinquième
neuf	neuvième

These spelling changes make pronunciation easier.

The number first is irregular.

Gender	French
masculine	premier
feminine	première

Example sentences:

C'est mon premier jour.
(It is my first day.)

Elle est arrivée première.
(She arrived first.)

Ordinal numbers are used in many everyday expressions.

Examples:

le troisième étage
(the third floor)

la deuxième page
(the second page)

le dixième chapitre
(the tenth chapter)

Ordinal numbers are sometimes used when speaking about dates, especially for the first day of the month.

Example:

1er janvier

This represents:

premier janvier

All other dates typically use cardinal numbers.

Example:

4 mars
15 juillet

For more information about French dates, check out the French Dates page.

You can practice French numbers using the tools below.

Example: 1234

Further reference: Académie française on numeral abbreviations.