Primero and tercero become primer and tercer before a noun (Spanish apócope)

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Shortened forms of primero and tercero in Spanish

Some ordinal numbers (i.e first, second, third...) in Spanish have a shorter form when they are placed before a singular masculine noun. This affects two ordinal numbers:

  • Primer (first)
  • Tercer (third)

Have a look and listen to the following examples:

El primer candidato pasó la entrevista con éxito.The first candidate completed the interview successfully.

Este es el tercer coche que compro este año.This is the third car I have bought this year.

Feminine nouns

The shorter form is not used in front of feminine nouns:

La tercera candidata pasó la entrevista con éxito.The third (female) candidate completed the interview successfully.

Es la primera vez que nos besamos.It is the first time we have kissed.

Plurals

The short form is not used when accompanying feminine or masculine plural nouns either:

Los primeros años de universidad son siempre duros.The first years at University are always hard.

Estas serán las primeras navidades sin Cristina.This will be the first Christmas season without Cristina.

Pronoun Usage

The long form of these adjectives (primero / tercero) are used as pronouns (i.e. not accompanying a noun) they do not change and retain their long form.

Have a look:

Fui el primero en llegar a la meta.I was the first (one) to reach the finish line.

- ¿A dónde va usted? -Voy al tercero.-Where are you going? -I am going to the third (floor).

For a list of ordinal numbers in Spanish see  Ordinal adjectives from 1st to 20th in Spanish

To see other cases of apocopation see

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Examples and resources

Este es el tercer coche que compro este año.This is the third car I have bought this year.
Los primeros años de universidad son siempre duros.The first years at University are always hard.
Fui el primero en llegar a la meta.I was the first (one) to reach the finish line.
- ¿A dónde va usted? -Voy al tercero.-Where are you going? -I am going to the third (floor).
El primer candidato pasó la entrevista con éxito.The first candidate completed the interview successfully.
Es la primera vez que nos besamos.It is the first time we have kissed.
La tercera candidata pasó la entrevista con éxito.The third (female) candidate completed the interview successfully.
Estas serán las primeras navidades sin Cristina.This will be the first Christmas season without Cristina.
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