What are Telwoorden?
In Dutch, we use numbers in two main ways: as hoofdtelwoorden (cardinal numbers) and rangtelwoorden (ordinal numbers).
Hoofdtelwoorden (Cardinal Numbers)
These are the basic numbers we use for counting.
- 1 – één (one)
- 2 – twee (two)
- 3 – drie (three)
- 4 – vier (four)
- 5 – vijf (five)
- 10 – tien (ten)
Example: Ik heb drie appels. (I have three apples.)
Rangtelwoorden (Ordinal Numbers)
These numbers show rank or order, like first, second, third, etc.
- 1st – eerste (first)
- 2nd – tweede (second)
- 3rd – derde (third)
- 4th – vierde (fourth)
- 5th – vijfde (fifth)
Example: Zij is de tweede in de klas. (She is the second in the class.)
How to use them
Use hoofdtelwoorden when you are counting items or people. Use rangtelwoorden to describe positions or sequences.
Examples of Both
| Hoofdtelwoord (Cardinal) | Rangtelwoord (Ordinal) |
|---|---|
| Drie (three) | Derde (third) |
| Vijf (five) | Vijfde (fifth) |
| Tien (ten) | Tiende (tenth) |
Practice using both types to become comfortable with numbers in Dutch!