German Dates and Ordinal Numbers: How to Fill Out Forms and Plan Events

Mastering the Calendar: Dates and Ordinal Numbers

In Germany, punctuality and precise planning are cultural cornerstones. To function effectively, you must move beyond simple numbers (1, 2, 3) and master Ordinal Numbers (1st, 2nd, 3rd). These are essential for saying the date, referring to floors in a building (Stockwerk), or describing your place in a queue. In this lesson, we will learn how to form these numbers and, more importantly, how to use them with prepositions to talk about deadlines and appointments.

1. How to Form Ordinal Numbers

The rule for forming ordinal numbers in German is quite simple and depends on whether the number is below or above 20.

Range	Rule	Example
1 – 19	Add -te to the number	vier -> vierte (4th)
20+	Add -ste to the number	zwanzig -> zwanzigste (20th)

The Irregular Exceptions: Just like in English (1st, 2nd, 3rd), German has a few exceptions you must memorize:

• 1st: erste (not einste)
• 3rd: dritte (not dreite)
• 7th: siebte (not siebente)
• 8th: achte (only add -te because it already ends in t)

2. Writing and Saying the Date

In German, dates are written with a dot after the number (e.g., 01.01.2024). This dot represents the “ordinal” ending. When you want to say “On the [Date],” we use the preposition Am. This triggers a grammar change: the ending becomes -ten or -sten.

• Am ersten Januar (On the 1st of January).
• Am einundzwanzigsten März (On the 21st of March).
• Am dritten Juli (On the 3rd of July).

3. Months of the Year (Die Monate)

All months in German are Masculine (Der). If you want to say “In January,” use the preposition Im (In + dem).

Januar	Februar	März	April
Mai	Juni	Juli	August
September	Oktober	November	Dezember

4. Practical Scenarios: Forms and Invitations

A. Filling out a form (Geburtsdatum):
If the form asks for your Geburtsdatum (Date of birth), you write: 15.05.1990.

When asked orally: “Ich bin am fünfzehnten Mai neunzehnhundertneunzig geboren.”

B. Discussing Deadlines:
“Die Frist ist am dreißigsten September.” (The deadline is on the 30th of September).

C. Building Floors (Stockwerke):
“Ich wohne im ersten Stock.” (I live on the first floor).

Note: In Germany, the ‘first floor’ is usually the one above the ground floor (Erdgeschoss).

5. Essential Time Prepositions (From… To…)

To express a range of time, use Von… bis…:

• “Ich arbeite von Montag bis Freitag.” (I work from Monday to Friday).
• “Der Termin ist von 14:00 bis 15:00 Uhr.” (The appointment is from 2:00 to 3:00 PM).

6. Practice Exercises

A. Write out the following dates in German words (using “Am”):

1. 01.05. (On the 1st of May) -> Am _________ Mai.
2. 20.10. (On the 20th of October) -> Am _________ Oktober.
3. 03.12. (On the 3rd of December) -> Am _________ Dezember.

B. Translate to German:

1. My birthday is in August.
2. The meeting is on the 4th of April.
3. I live on the 2nd floor (der zweite Stock).

Lesson Summary Checklist

[ ] I can form ordinal numbers by adding -te (1-19) or -ste (20+).
[ ] I remember the exceptions: erste, dritte, siebte, achte.
[ ] I know that “Am” triggers the -ten or -sten ending for dates.
[ ] I can list the months of the year and use them with “Im”.
[ ] I understand how to describe floors in a building.