Tengo dos hermanos.
English: I have two brothers.
- Language
- Spanish
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Números y expresiones de tiempo
- Practice types
- 0
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
Vivo en el tercer piso.
English: I live on the third floor.
Hay cinco libros en la mesa.
English: There are five books on the table.
Es mi primer coche.
English: It's my first car.
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.