When talking about who came in first place or which floor you work on, you need ordinal numbers. In Romanian, these numbers must match the gender of the noun they describe. They also almost always come before the noun.
First (1st)
Unlike the rest of the numbers, "first" does not use a predictable pattern. It is a completely distinct word.
| the first | primul |
| The dark-haired boy is first in the competition. | Băiatul brunet este primul la concurs. |
| The first question is very easy. | Prima întrebare este foarte ușoară. |
The Formula (2nd to 10th)
For numbers 2 through 10, Romanian builds the ordinal number using a specific formula wrapped around the base number:
- Masculine / Neuter:
al- [number] +
lea
- [number] +
- Feminine:
a- [number] +
a
- [number] +
Let's look at "second" and "third". Notice that for the feminine "second", the base number changes from doi to două, becoming a doua.
| the second | al doilea |
| That office is on the second floor. | Acel birou este la etajul al doilea. |
| the third | al treilea |
| The third car is grey. | A treia mașină este gri. |
Numbers 4 through 10
The pattern continues smoothly up to ten. Sometimes a vowel at the end of the base number drops or changes slightly to make pronunciation easier (for example, patru becomes a patra).
| Number | Masculine / Neuter | Feminine |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | al patrulea | a patra |
| 5 | al cincilea | a cincea |
| 6 | al șaselea | a șasea |
| 7 | al șaptelea | a șaptea |
| 8 | al optulea | a opta |
| 9 | al nouălea | a noua |
| 10 | al zecelea | a zecea |
Here are a few more examples of these ordinal numbers in action, describing competition rankings, weeks, and building floors:
| The fourth week of the month is free. | A patra săptămână din lună este liberă. |
| Your friend is in fifth place. | Prietenul tău este pe locul al cincilea. |
| The apartment is on the seventh floor. | Apartamentul este la etajul al șaptelea. |
| We are getting off at the tenth floor. | Coborâm la etajul al zecelea. |
| The tenth question is hard, not easy. | A zecea întrebare este grea, nu ușoară. |
