In short: The ordinals build on the numbers: ഒന്നാമത്തെ (onnaamathe) first, രണ്ടാമത്തെ (randaamathe) second, മൂന്നാമത്തെ (moonnaamathe) third, നാലാമത്തെ (naalaamathe) fourth, അവസാനത്തെ (avasaanathe) last.
Variations & related phrases
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ഒന്നാമത്തെ | Onnaamathe | First |
| രണ്ടാമത്തെ | Randaamathe | Second |
| മൂന്നാമത്തെ | Moonnaamathe | Third |
| അവസാനത്തെ | Avasaanathe | Last |
When & how to use it
Add -aamathe to a number for "Nth": onnaamathe (1st), randaamathe (2nd). Avasaanathe = last.
Example sentences
| Malayalam | Romanised | English |
|---|---|---|
| ഒന്നാമത്തെ വീട് അവന്റേതാ. | Onnaamathe veedu avanthethaa. | The first house is his. |
| ഇത് രണ്ടാമത്തെ തവണയാ. | Ithu randaamathe thavanayaa. | This is the second time. |
Want to hear this used in a real conversation? Listen to Episode 10 - Time, Days & Dates in the free Listen & Learn library — every line has a Malayalam, romanised and English transcript.
Practise speaking it for real
These pages train your ear. A live 1-to-1 lesson with Dr. Reshmi trains your mouth — real-time correction only a teacher can give.
Book a lesson →Frequently asked questions
What are ordinal numbers in Malayalam?
Onnaamathe (first), randaamathe (second), moonnaamathe (third), naalaamathe (fourth).
How do you say first in Malayalam?
First is ഒന്നാമത്തെ (onnaamathe).
How do you say last in Malayalam?
Last is അവസാനത്തെ (avasaanathe).
How are ordinals formed in Malayalam?
Add -aamathe to the number, e.g. randaamathe ("second").