Ordinal Numbers in Portuguese

Overview

Ordinal Numbers (Números Ordinais) is a beginner (CEFR A1) topic in Portuguese grammar. Ordinal numbers: primeiro, segundo, terceiro, quarto, quinto, sexto, sétimo, oitavo, nono, décimo. Agree in gender/number. Written abbreviated: 1.º/1.ª

Understanding ordinal numbers is essential for building correct Portuguese sentences and communicating effectively. This concept is introduced at the A1 level and forms part of the foundation for more advanced grammar structures.

Whether you are learning Brazilian or European Portuguese, mastering ordinal numbers will significantly improve your ability to express yourself naturally and accurately in a variety of contexts.

How It Works

Ordinal numbers (1st-10th):

Number	Masculine	Feminine
1st	primeiro	primeira
2nd	segundo	segunda
3rd	terceiro	terceira
4th	quarto	quarta
5th	quinto	quinta
6th	sexto	sexta
7th	setimo	setima
8th	oitavo	oitava
9th	nono	nona
10th	decimo	decima

Ordinals agree in gender and number. Abbreviated: 1.o, 1.a. Above 10th, cardinals often replace ordinals in speech: o andar treze (13th floor).

Examples in Context

Portuguese	English	Note
a primeira vez	the first time
o segundo andar	the second floor
o terceiro dia	the third day
os primeiros dias	the first days
a segunda-feira	Monday
o quinto andar	5th floor
as primeiras horas	the first hours	f. pl.
o oitavo dia	the eighth day
a nona sinfonia	the ninth symphony

Common Mistakes

Incorrect form usage

• Wrong: Applying rules from English or other languages directly
• Right: Follow Portuguese-specific patterns for ordinal numbers
• Why: Portuguese has its own rules that do not always align with English or other Romance languages.

Forgetting agreement rules

• Wrong: Not matching gender, number, or person correctly
• Right: Ensure all elements in the sentence agree with each other
• Why: Portuguese requires strict agreement between subjects, verbs, articles, adjectives, and pronouns.

Mixing formal and informal registers

• Wrong: Using tu forms with voce verb conjugations, or vice versa
• Right: Be consistent with your chosen register throughout a conversation
• Why: Register consistency is important for natural-sounding Portuguese.

Usage Notes

This concept appears across both Brazilian and European Portuguese, though specific usage patterns may differ between the two variants. At the A1 level, focus on understanding the core patterns before worrying about regional differences.

In everyday conversation, ordinal numbers is used frequently in both formal and informal contexts. Pay attention to how native speakers use it in the media you consume, and note any differences between Brazilian and Portuguese sources.

Practice Tips

1. Practice ordinal numbers with authentic Portuguese texts, listening for how native speakers use these forms in context.
2. Create flashcards with complete example sentences rather than isolated words to reinforce natural patterns.
3. Write short paragraphs using ordinal numbers and compare them with native-written texts to identify areas for improvement.

Related Concepts

• Prerequisite: Cardinal Numbers -- provides the foundational knowledge needed for ordinal numbers