How do I correctly use first, second, third, ect?

Question

I always wanted to know how to say 1st, 2nd, 3rd, ect. How do I correctly use them in Spanish?

Answer 1

First: primero

Second: segundo

Third: tercero

Fourth: cuarto

Fifth: quinto

Sixth: sexto

Seventh: séptimo, sétimo

Eighth: octavo

Ninth: noveno

Tenth: décimo

You must gender match (and for primero and tercero, drop the "o") when using before a noun.

El primer número es uno. El segundo número es dos. El tercer número es tres.

Thanks. This is going to be helpful! - espanol5555, Oct 26, 2010

Also, if I was not clear, do not drop the "a" in the case of a female noun- eg. "la primera hija" - Stadt, Oct 26, 2010

Well, you drop the "o" for masculine nouns, right? For example, "primera vez" keeps the "a" because it's feminine. "Primer número" because "número" is masculine. Correct me if I'm wrong. - Goldie_Miel, Oct 26, 2010

You drop the o for primero and tercero only, as I did above in the examples, not segundo or any others, and you never drop the a for a feminine noun- so you are correct in your example. - Stadt, Oct 26, 2010

Answer 2

Have a look at the link below.

Spanish ordinal numbers

Answer 3

You can make yourself a set of these flashcards on SpanishDict. It will help you to learn them more quickly.