Grammar fact sheet: ordinal numbers

 
Topics
  1. Ordinal numbers
  2. Numerical adverbs
  3. Idiomatic expressions with numbers
Ordinal numbers (24.D.1)
 
The ordinal numbers in Zarma are based on the cardinal numbers except for the first. An ordinal number is formed by adding anta to the cardinal numbers. In case the cardinal number ends on an a or an i, this a or i are replaced.  In case the cardinal number ends on an u this u is only replaced for ahaku.
 
Ordinal numbers 1 - 10
Zarma
number
 Zarma

number
sintina
first
 idduanta
sixth
ihinkanta
second
 iyyanata
seventh
ihinzanta
third
 ahakanta
eighth
itacanta
fourth
 iyegganta
ninth
iguanta
fifth
 iwayanta
tenth
 
For the numbers higher than 10 the ordinal number is formed in the same way as the numbers below 10. For the 11th, 21th et cetera, the ordinal number is the same as the cardinal number.

In the higher number the cardinals are frequently used instead of the ordinals.
 
Ordinal numbers higher than 10
Zarma number
iway cindi fo eleventh
iway cindi hinkanta twelfth
warankanta twentieth
waranka cindi fo twenty-first

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Numerical adverbs
 
number of times

The word ce or sorro in combination with the cardinal number is used to indicate the number of times; examples:

ce fo, sorro fo: once, one time
ce hinka, sorro hinka: twice, two times

ce bobo : many times
 
Combinations with first

at first, first sintina, me fo (also: together, simultaneously, at the same time)
in the first place jina (also: in front, in front of, before; yet, already)
  example: M' a naŋ jina. Let him first.
to be first jin  (also: to precede, to go before)
first born hay jine, hay jina
first, senior or only wife wargida [H]
 

Combinations with last

to do last kokor (also: to do recently; to do subsequently)
  examples: kokor can be used in verb link constructions to give an adverbial flavour.
                   A kokor ga kaa. He wound up coming.
                   A kokor ga ci ay se. He finally told me.
                   Ay kokor ga di a. I saw it at last. 
last, final kokoro; bananta, banda wane, kokoro banda wane.
in the last place, last of all, at last kokoro banda.

last year mannaŋ {manan}  

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Idiomatic expressions
 

first, senior or only wife wargida [H]
second or subsequent wife in plural marriage wayce

second story jidan bisa [Hausa literally: house up above]; sooro, soora

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Last updated: 26 januari 2010