Understanding Ordinal Adjectives in Afrikaans Grammar

Ordinal adjectives are an essential component of the Afrikaans language, which is one of the 11 official languages spoken in South Africa. These adjectives allow speakers to indicate the precise order or position of various elements within a given sequence. In this article, we’ll delve deep into the intricacies of ordinal adjectives in Afrikaans grammar, exploring their correct usage, as well as outlining helpful examples and tips for mastering their application with ease.

Formation of Ordinal Adjectives in Afrikaans

In Afrikaans, ordinal adjectives are derived by adding the suffix -de or -ste to the cardinal number. The choice between these suffixes depends on the specific number being used:

1. For the number one, the -ste suffix is added: eerste (first).
2. For numbers ending in two or three, the -de suffix is utilized: tweede (second), derde (third).
3. For all other numbers, the -ste suffix is employed: vierde (fourth), vijfde (fifth), and so on.

Applying Ordinal Adjectives in Afrikaans Sentences

Just like in English, ordinal adjectives in Afrikaans precede the noun they modify, with the definite article die invariably preceding the ordinal adjective: die eerste huis (the first house), die tweede boek (the second book).

Additionally, when dealing with ordinals that refer to specific dates, there is no need for the definite article. For instance: 12 Januarie 1999 is correctly translated as die twaalfde Januarie negetien nege en negentig (the 12th of January 1999).

Expressing Fractions Using Afrikaans Ordinal Adjectives

Ordinal adjectives are also employed when stating fractions in Afrikaans. When denoting fractions, the ordinal adjective, rather than the cardinal number, is used in conjunction with the noun deel (part):

1. Half: half; die helfte: the half
2. Een derde: one third; die derde: the third
3. Een vierde: one fourth (one quarter); die vierde: the fourth
4. Een vijfde: one fifth; die vijfde: the fifth

Notice that the noun deel is omitted when translating “the + ordinal adjective” into Afrikaans.

Ordinal Adjectives for Ordinal Numbers in Afrikaans

In Afrikaans, ordinal numbers can be transformed into ordinal adjectives by adding -e to the ordinal number:

Eerste ➛ eerstee (first)
Tweedee ➛ tweede (second)
Derde ➛ derdee (third)

While the usage of ordinal adjectives in Afrikaans grammar may seem daunting at first, with practice, one can easily grasp their purpose, formation, and application. By gaining a thorough understanding of these grammatical elements, learners of Afrikaans will be well-equipped to communicate effectively and accurately, thus furthering their mastery of this rich and fascinating language.