Lesson 1.4: Counting and Ordinals

Lesson Overview

In this lesson, you will learn essential Russian words related to numbers and ordinal numbers. These words are fundamental in helping you count objects, talk about quantities, and describe sequences or order (first, second, third, etc.). Mastering these numbers will allow you to talk about dates, prices, quantities, and much more, which are common in everyday conversations.

Grammar Tip 1: Cardinal Numbers in Russian

Cardinal numbers represent basic quantities. When using numbers in Russian, the noun that follows can change based on the number:

• 1 (один) uses the nominative singular form.
• 2-4 take the genitive singular form.
• 5 and higher take the genitive plural form.

Grammar Tip 2: Ordinal Numbers in Russian

Ordinal numbers describe the order in which things occur. They follow the same pattern of gender and case agreement as adjectives, so they must agree with the noun they modify in gender, number, and case:

• Masculine: первый (first), второй (second)
• Feminine: первая (first), вторая (second)
• Neuter: первое (first), второе (second)

Example Sentences Using Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers:

1. У меня три книги. (I have three books.)
2. Мы живём на пятом этаже. (We live on the fifth floor.)
3. Сколько стоит десять яблок? (How much do ten apples cost?)
4. Это его второй день в школе. (This is his second day at school.)
5. Я купил пятьдесят три билета. (I bought fifty-three tickets.)