-ste
Afrikaans
Suffix
-ste
Suffix
-ste
- -st, -th, -nd; Forms ordinal numbers from cardinal numbers.
- agt + -ste → agtste
- twintig + -ste → twintigste
Usage notes
The ordinal numbers eerste (“first”) and agtste (“eighth”) are formed with this suffix, as well as ordinals of numbers 20 and above. The ordinals of numbers 2-19 are formed with -de.
The suffix can also be written after a number written in digits (8ste, 20ste).
Coordinate terms
Dutch
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /stə/
Usage notes
The ordinal number achtste (“eighth”) is formed with this suffix, as well as ordinals of numbers 20 and above. (The ordinal number eerste (“first”) is better explained as an inflected form of the superlative eerst.) The ordinals of the other cardinal numbers in the range 0 to 19 are formed with -de. The adjectives hoeveelste and zoveelste also employ the suffix -ste.
The suffix can also be written after a number written in digits (8ste, 20ste). The e is sometimes written in superscript, like in French (8ste, 20ste), but this is discouraged by the Dutch Language Union.[1]