German Ordinal Numbers - Teach Numbers

German Ordinal Numbers: 1st, 2nd, 3rd in German

German ordinal numbers describe the position of something in a sequence.

Table of Contents

For example:

Ordinal numbers answer the question:

“Which one?”

They are commonly used when talking about:

Once you understand the pattern, German ordinal numbers are very predictable and easy to learn.

German ordinal numbers follow a simple pattern.

Add the ending:

-te

Examples:

vier → vierte
fünf → fünfte
acht → achte

Add the ending:

-ste

Examples:

zwanzig → zwanzigste
dreißig → dreißigste
vierzig → vierzigste

A few ordinal numbers change slightly from their cardinal form.

These are the only major irregular forms you need to memorize.

Ordinal numbers are commonly used when speaking dates in German.

Example written date:

4. März 2026

This is spoken as:

der vierte März zweitausendsechsundzwanzig

German dates always place the day before the month.

Here are some common sentences using ordinal numbers:

Das ist mein erster Versuch.
(This is my first attempt.)

Heute ist der dritte Tag.
(Today is the third day.)

Sie wohnt im fünften Stock.
(She lives on the fifth floor.)

You can practice German numbers using the interactive tools below.

Example: 1234

You may also want to learn:

Related pages: German, German Numbers Quiz, Count In German.

Further reference: Duden dictionary.