sorszámnév

A sorszámnév, or ordinal number in English, is a word that indicates the position or order of something in a sequence. Unlike cardinal numbers, which express quantity (e.g., one, two, three), sorszámnevek specify rank or place (e.g., first, second, third).

In Hungarian, sorszámnevek are formed by adding a suffix to the corresponding cardinal number. For example, the cardinal number "egy" (one) becomes "első" (first). The cardinal number "kettő" (two) becomes "második" (second). For numbers beyond two, the suffix "-dik", "-adik", or "-ödik" is typically appended to the cardinal number stem, with the choice depending on vowel harmony. For instance, "három" (three) becomes "harmadik" (third), and "öt" (five) becomes "ötödik" (fifth).

Sorszámnevek are used in various contexts, such as referring to dates (e.g., "július huszonharmadika" - July twenty-third), rankings (e.g., "első helyezett" - first place winner), or sequential events (e.g., "második alkalommal" - for the second time). They are a fundamental part of expressing order and position within a series. Understanding sorszámnevek is crucial for comprehending temporal, spatial, and hierarchical arrangements in the Hungarian language.