01
neunt
ninth
The ordinal number that corresponds to the cardinal number nine (9) and indicates the position after the eighth in a sequence.
example
Sie belegte im Wettbewerb den neunten Platz.
She took ninth place in the competition.
neunt
ninth
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word formation
The ordinal number is derived from the cardinal number 'neun' (nine). For numbers from 2 to 19, the ending '-te' is added, therefore: neun + -te → neunte.
EXAMPLE
Dies ist schon meine neunte Tasse Kaffee heute.
This is already my ninth cup of coffee today.
Adjectival declension
Like an adjective, 'neunt-' (ninth) must also be declined before a noun. The form is especially important for dates with the preposition 'am', which always requires the dative.
EXAMPLE
Wir feiern heute den neunten Geburtstag meiner Tochter.
We are celebrating my daughter's ninth birthday today.
Writing with digits
When you write an ordinal number as a digit, German always requires a period after it. 'Der neunte Platz' (ninth place) is therefore written as 'der 9. Platz'.
EXAMPLE
Bitte schlagen Sie die Seite 9 auf.
Please open to page 9.
Adverb form
For enumerations, there is the adverb form 'neuntens' (ninthly). It means 'in ninth place' and is used to structure a list.
EXAMPLE
Erstens ist es zu teuer, zweitens zu kompliziert und neuntens habe ich keine Zeit.
First, it is too expensive; second, too complicated; and ninth, I don't have time.
Compare with
neunt vs neun
nine
'neun' and 'neunt' both belong to the number 9, but they are used differently. 'neun' is the regular number: you use it to count things or to say the time, nine o'clock. 'neunt' is an ordinal number and shows a position in a sequence, for example ninth place or the ninth day. Learners may confuse the forms because they look very similar. Remember: 'neun' answers 'How many?' or 'When?' for the time; 'neunt' answers 'Which number in the sequence?'.
neunt
Sie ist beim Lauf als Neunte ins Ziel gekommen.
She crossed the finish line ninth in the race.
neun
Der Termin beginnt um neun, deshalb gehe ich früh los.
The appointment starts at nine, so I’m leaving early.
In real life
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