How to Use Ordinal Numbers in Latvian for English Speakers

Understanding Ordinal Numbers in Latvian

Ordinal numbers indicate the position or order of things in a sequence, such as first, second, or third. In Latvian, ordinal numbers are used similarly to English but have unique forms and endings that depend on gender, number, and case.

Basic Ordinal Numbers in Latvian

Here are the first ten ordinal numbers in Latvian with their English equivalents:

Gender and Number Agreement

In Latvian, ordinal numbers must agree with the noun they modify in gender (masculine or feminine) and number (singular or plural). For example, pirmais is masculine singular, while pirmā is feminine singular.

For plural nouns, ordinal numbers take plural endings: pirmie (masculine plural) and pirmās (feminine plural). This agreement is essential for correct grammar.

Using Ordinal Numbers in Sentences

Ordinal numbers are often used before nouns to indicate order. For example:

Latvian: Viņš dzīvo pirmajā mājā.
English: He lives in the first house.

Note that the ordinal number changes form depending on the case. In this example, pirmajā is in the locative case to match mājā (house).

Forming Ordinal Numbers Beyond Ten

Ordinal numbers beyond ten are generally formed by combining the cardinal number with the suffix -ais or -ā for masculine and feminine respectively. For example:

These forms also agree in gender, number, and case with the nouns they modify.

Common Uses of Ordinal Numbers in Latvian

Ordinal numbers are used in various contexts, such as:

• Dates (e.g., 1st of May - pirmais maijs)
• Ranking or positions (e.g., second place - otrajā vietā)
• Street addresses (e.g., third street - trešā iela)
• Chapters or sections in books

Tips for English Speakers Learning Latvian Ordinal Numbers

English speakers should pay special attention to the gender and case endings of Latvian ordinal numbers, as these do not exist in English. Practice by pairing ordinal numbers with nouns and using them in sentences to become familiar with the correct forms.