Spanish grammar: numerales cardinales y ordinales básicos

What this grammar point covers

In Spanish, cardinal numbers (numerales cardinales) are used to count things (one, two, three...), and ordinal numbers (numerales ordinales) are used to show order (first, second, third...).

When to use it

Use cardinal numbers to count objects, people, or things. Use ordinal numbers to talk about the position or order of something (like 'the first day', 'the second floor').

Key forms

• Cardinals: uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco, seis, siete, ocho, nueve, diez
• Ordinals: primero, segundo, tercero, cuarto, quinto

Examples

Tips

• Remember that 'uno' changes to 'un' before a masculine noun (un libro, una casa).
• 'Primero' and 'tercero' drop the final 'o' before a masculine singular noun (primer día, tercer piso).

Exceptions and edge cases

• 'Uno' becomes 'un' before masculine nouns.
• 'Primero' and 'tercero' become 'primer' and 'tercer' before masculine singular nouns.