How to Say Ordinal Numbers in Haitian Creole

How to Say Ordinal Numbers

You will learn how to say ordinal numbers such as first, second, third, etc., in Haitian Creole.
Please see our lesson on counting numbers in Haitian Creole if you haven't done so already.
Most ordinal numbers are formed by adding -yèm to a number. However, there are a few patterns and spelling changes you need to know.
Here are the patterns you need to pay attention to:

1. The word premye means first. It is only used for 1st and does not repeat in larger ordinal numbers.
Numbers such as 21st, 31st, 41st, 51st, 61st, and 81st end in -eyinyèm.
2. The forms for second through ninth repeat in many larger ordinal numbers, except in the 70s and 90s.
3. The forms for 10th through 19th repeat in the 70s and 90s.
4. Ordinal numbers that are multiples of ten usually end in -tyèm. The exceptions are 70th and 90th.

1. Premye is the Creole ordinal number for first. It is only used for 1st.
2. Numbers ending in 1, such as 21st, 31st, 41st, 51st, 61st, and 81st, end in -eyinyèm.
3. The exceptions are 71st and 91st. They end in -onzyèm because their number words end with onz.

1. The ordinal forms for second through ninth repeat at the end of many larger ordinal numbers.
2. This pattern appears in the 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s, and 80s.
3. The 70s and 90s follow the pattern for 10th through 19th instead.

The ordinal forms for 10th through 19th repeat from 70th through 79th and from 90th through 99th.

1. Ordinal numbers that are multiples of ten, such as 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th, and 80th, end in -tyèm.
2. The exceptions are 70th and 90th. They end in -dizyèm.