Ordinal Numbers in Serbian - Part 1

Listen for the contrast between “Ovo je moj prvi čas vožnje.” and “Stanujemo na četvrtom spratu.”. Their forms become memorable when you connect them with a speaker, purpose and situation.

Ordinal numbers in Serbian behave as adjectives, so they change according to the noun's:

number (singular or plural - prva kolona vs. prve kolone)
gender (masc. fem or neuter - prvi red vs. prvA kolona vs. prvO mesto)
case (after the basic form of Nominative, there will be all six cases - prvi čovek - prvog čoveka - prvom čoveku - prvog čoveka / prvi hamburger - prvi čoveče - sa prvim čovekom - o prvom čoveku)

That's why we are starting just with a very simple list of 12 ordinal numbers in masc. sg. Nominative to learn the form, hear it, pronounce it and practice it.

In our next lessons we'll be practicing more complex structures with the ordinal numbers in Serbian :)

I know it looks complicated, but it can be fun, and it is certainly good for your brain!

The list of exercises both in the Latin and Cyrillic script can be found on my Patreon page.

First, Second, Third—Now Make Them Agree

Focus on ordinal-number agreement in dates, order and position. Contrast “Ovo je moj prvi čas vožnje.” with “Stanujemo na četvrtom spratu.”, identify the form carrying the main information, and say both sentences without translating word by word.

Ordinal Numbers Enter Serbian Sentences

Turn “Njena druga knjiga izlazi u maju.” into a question, then answer it with information from your own life. Write the final exchange in both Serbian scripts.

Latin script	Cyrillic script	English
Ovo je moj prvi čas vožnje.	Ово је мој први час вожње.	This is my first driving lesson.
Stanujemo na četvrtom spratu.	Станујемо на четвртом спрату.	We live on the fourth floor.
Njena druga knjiga izlazi u maju.	Њена друга књига излази у мају.	Her second book is coming out in May.
Sastanak je zakazan za dvadeset prvi jul.	Састанак је заказан за двадесет први јул.	The meeting is scheduled for the twenty-first of July.
Marko je osvojio treće mesto.	Марко је освојио треће место.	Marko won third place.

Five Positions and Dates to Say Correctly

Rebuild “Sastanak je zakazan za dvadeset prvi jul.” from its English meaning, but adapt “Marko je osvojio treće mesto.” freely. The two results should sound connected to real communication, not to a grammar list.

Put Every Person and Event in Order

Reconstruct all five Serbian sentences from English. Use “Ovo je moj prvi čas vožnje.” as your first accuracy check only after writing the full set in Latin and Cyrillic.

This is my first driving lesson.
We live on the fourth floor.
Her second book is coming out in May.
The meeting is scheduled for the twenty-first of July.
Marko won third place.

Solutions prepared for Ordinal Numbers in Serbian - Part 1

Ovo je moj prvi čas vožnje.
Ово је мој први час вожње.
Stanujemo na četvrtom spratu.
Станујемо на четвртом спрату.
Njena druga knjiga izlazi u maju.
Њена друга књига излази у мају.
Sastanak je zakazan za dvadeset prvi jul.
Састанак је заказан за двадесет први јул.
Marko je osvojio treće mesto.
Марко је освојио треће место.