Understanding ordinal numbers in Spanish is essential for mastering everyday conversations—from saying the date to describing rankings or steps in a process. At EdVanna, our Spanish immersion program teaches these numbers through real-time conversations with native speakers, so you remember and use them with confidence and ease.

In this guide, you’ll find comprehensive lists, grammar rules, and pronunciation tips to help you learn ordinal numbers fast—the EdVanna way.

What Are Ordinal Numbers in Spanish?

Ordinal numbers (números ordinales) describe position, rank, or order in a sequence—like first, second, third in English.

  • Cardinal: uno, dos, tres
  • Ordinal: primero, segundo, tercero

They’re especially useful in dates, lists, competitions, instructions, and more.

Basic Ordinal Numbers (1st–10th)

These are the most commonly used and easiest to memorize:

NumberMasculineFeminine
1stprimeroprimera
2ndsegundosegunda
3rdtercerotercera
4thcuartocuarta
5thquintoquinta
6thsextosexta
7thséptimoséptima
8thoctavooctava
9thnovenonovena
10thdécimodécima

💡 Tip: Use these frequently when saying the date (el primero de mayo), giving directions (la tercera puerta), or ordering items (el cuarto en la lista).

Ordinal Numbers 11th–20th

From this range forward, you’ll find two acceptable forms: the older one-word version and the newer two-word version.

NumberOne-Word FormTwo-Word Form
11thundécimodécimo primero
12thduodécimodécimo segundo
13thdecimotercerodécimo tercero
14thdecimocuartodécimo cuarto
15thdecimoquintodécimo quinto
16thdecimosextodécimo sexto
17thdecimoséptimodécimo séptimo
18thdecimoctavodécimo octavo
19thdecimonovenodécimo noveno
20thvigésimo—

⚠️ Note: When using two-word forms, each part must agree in gender and number.

✅ EdVanna’s live classes help you internalize these patterns through natural repetition and real interaction.

Ordinal Numbers 21st–30th

Ordinal numbers beyond 20 follow a compound structure. They can be written as one long word or two separate words:

NumberOne-Word FormTwo-Word Form
21stvigesimoprimerovigésimo primero
22ndvigesimosegundovigésimo segundo
23rdvigesimotercerovigésimo tercero
24thvigesimocuartovigésimo cuarto
25thvigesimoquintovigésimo quinto
26thvigesimosextovigésimo sexto
27thvigesimoséptimovigésimo séptimo
28thvigesimoctavovigésimo octavo
29thvigesimonovenovigésimo noveno
30thtrigésimo—

📌 Starting from 30th, ordinal numbers are almost always written in two-word format.

Ordinal Numbers by Tens (30th–100th)

This list includes ordinals by tens and is useful for dates, historical references, and ranking large groups:

NumberOrdinal Form
30thtrigésimo
40thcuadragésimo
50thquincuagésimo
60thsexagésimo
70thseptuagésimo
80thoctogésimo
90thnonagésimo
100thcentésimo

🎓 Many students preparing for online Spanish B1 courses will be expected to recognize and use these forms accurately.

Advanced Ordinals (100th–1,000,000th)

These forms appear in legal documents, academic writing, or official titles.

NumberOrdinal Form
100thcentésimo
200thducentésimo
300thtricentésimo
400thcuadringentésimo
500thquingentésimo
600thsexcentésimo
700thseptingentésimo
800thoctingentésimo
900thnoningentésimo
1,000thmilésimo
1,000,000thmillonésimo

🔍 If you’re preparing for written tests or professional communication, mastering these forms gives your Spanish a high level of precision.

Grammar Tips for Using Ordinal Numbers

  • Match gender and number:
    • el primer paso / la primera opción
  • Drop the -o in primero and tercero when followed by a masculine noun:
    • ✅ el primer día
    • ✅ el tercer piso
  • Use abbreviations correctly:
    • 1.º, 2.º, 3.er, 4.ª
    • 29º corredor, 31ª mujer

👂 In EdVanna’s lessons, you’ll hear native speakers use these naturally, helping you absorb grammar through authentic context.

✅ Secondary keyword used: how to pronounce Spanish well

Practice Makes Perfect: Use Ordinal Numbers in Real Conversations

Unlike memorization apps or flashcards, EdVanna’s conversational approach lets you:

  • Use ordinal numbers in live dialogue
  • Practice common sequences (dates, steps, lists)
  • Get real-time correction from native tutors

You’ll also explore scenarios like:

  • Talking about birthdays and historical dates
  • Giving directions
  • Ranking opinions or choices

✅ Secondary keyword used: how to practice conversational Spanish

Master Ordinal Numbers Naturally with EdVanna

Whether you’re on your first Spanish lesson or your twentieth grammar point, mastering ordinal numbers in Spanish is key to real-world fluency.

With EdVanna’s live immersion method, you don’t just learn grammar—you use it.👉 Ready to practice primero through millonésimo in real conversations?
Join EdVanna today and start speaking from day one