Formation of Ordinal Adjectives in Vietnamese

Ordinal adjectives in Vietnamese are formed by adding the prefix thứ- to a number. For instance, if we wanted to say “first,” we would use the Vietnamese word for “one” (một) and add the prefix to create thứ nhất. It is crucial to note that the numbers used to form ordinal adjectives in Vietnamese are slightly different from those used in everyday counting. Below, you’ll find the formation of ordinal adjectives from one to ten:

• First: thứ nhất (not thứ một)
• Second: thứ hai
• Third: thứ ba
• Fourth: thứ tư
• Fifth: thứ năm
• Sixth: thứ sáu
• Seventh: thứ bảy
• Eighth: thứ tám
• Ninth: thứ chín
• Tenth: thứ mười

Usage of Ordinal Adjectives in Vietnamese Sentences

Now that we have learned the basics of forming ordinal adjectives in Vietnamese, let’s explore how they are used in sentences.

Ordinal adjectives can be used to indicate the order or precedence of items in a list or series. For example:

Tôi muốn mua thứ hai quyển sách trong kệ.

(I want to buy the second book on the shelf.)

Ordinal adjectives can also be employed to describe the position or ranking of someone or something relative to others. In this scenario, they operate similarly to their English counterparts. Consider the following example:

Anh ấy đứng thứ năm trong cuộc thi.

(He came fifth in the competition.)

Common Phrases and Expressions with Ordinal Adjectives

Beyond their use in sentences, ordinal adjectives can be found in various Vietnamese phrases and expressions. Some common examples are as follows:

Ngày thứ hai trong tuần

(Monday, literally “the second day of the week”)

Thứ tự ưu tiên

(Order of priority)

Mùa giải thứ năm

(The fifth season)

Conclusion

In conclusion, ordinal adjectives in Vietnamese grammar are essential for expressing order, rank, and position. By understanding the ways in which these adjectives are formed and used, learners can elevate their Vietnamese language skills and engage more confidently in various communicative contexts. Keep practicing and incorporating these elements into your daily conversations, and you’ll soon find yourself feeling increasingly comfortable with ordinal adjectives in Vietnamese grammar.