Ordinal numbers (first, second, third)

By Speak Indo, from the Speak Indo Indonesian course.

Add ke- before the number: kedua, ketiga, kesepuluh.

How it works

To say 'first, second, third' etc., put ke- before the cardinal number: • satu (one) → kesatu or just pertama (first) • dua (two) → kedua (second) • tiga (three) → ketiga (third) • lima (five) → kelima (fifth) • sepuluh (ten) → kesepuluh (tenth) pertama is more common than 'kesatu' for 'first'. Place ordinals AFTER the noun, like adjectives: • anak pertama = the first child • lantai dua = the second floor (note: 'dua' here is a cardinal, this is also fine) • bab ketiga = the third chapter

Examples

• Saya anak pertama.
  I'm the first child / oldest.
• Pelajaran ketiga sulit.
  The third lesson is difficult.
• Tolong ulangi untuk kedua kalinya.
  Please repeat for the second time.