How to Say Ordinal Numbers

Beginner Lesson

What You Will Learn

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• You will learn how to say ordinal numbers such as first, second, third, etc. in Haitian Creole
• Please see our lesson on counting numbers in Haitian Creole if you haven't done so already.
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• Here are the patterns you need to pay attention to:

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• 1. The first ordinal number premye occurs only once and does not repeat in patterns.
• Every first number after that end as -entyèm.
• 2. Second through ninth repeats in patterns (except in the 70s and 90s).
• 3. 10th through 19th only repeats in the 70s and 90s.
• 4. Every tenth number ends as -tyèm (except for 70^th and 90^th).

1 - Saying the 'First' Ordinal Number

Key Points

• 1. Premye is the Creole ordinal number for first. It occurs only once.
• 2. Every first ordinal number from 21st and on such as 31st , 41st and 51st end as -entyèm.
• 3. The only exceptions are 71st and 91st. They end as -onzyèm.

2 - Saying Second Through Ninth

Key Points

• 1. Ordinal numbers second through ninth repeats in patterns.
• 2. The only times they don't repeat are are 10-19th, 70-79th, and 90-99th.

3 - 10th through 19th Pattern

Key Points

• 1. 10th to 19th repeats from 70th to 79th and from 90th to 99th.

4 - Every Tenth Number

Key Points

• 1. Every tenth number from 20th and up ends as -tyèm.
• 2. The only exceptions to this are 70th and 90th.