How to Use Ordinal Numbers in Tamil for English Speakers

Understanding Ordinal Numbers in Tamil

Ordinal numbers indicate the position or order of things in a sequence, such as first, second, third, and so on. In Tamil, ordinal numbers are used similarly to English but have unique forms and suffixes.

Basic Ordinal Numbers in Tamil

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

Forming Ordinal Numbers Beyond Ten

In Tamil, ordinal numbers beyond ten are generally formed by adding the suffix "-ஆம்" (-aam) to the cardinal number. For example, 11th is பதினொன்றாம் (Pathinonraam) which combines பதினொன்று (eleven) + ஆம் (ordinal suffix). This pattern continues for higher numbers.

Usage Tips for English Speakers Learning Tamil

When using ordinal numbers in Tamil, remember that the suffix "-ஆம்" (-aam) is essential to indicate the ordinal form. Also, pronunciation may vary slightly depending on the context and regional dialects.

Ordinal numbers are often used in dates, rankings, and sequences, just like in English. For example, முதல் நாள் (Mudhal Naal) means "first day," and இரண்டாம் இடம் (Irandaam Idam) means "second place."

Practice Examples

Try translating these ordinal numbers into Tamil:

1. Third day
2. Fifth month
3. Seventh place
4. Tenth year

Answers: