The numeral

A numeral shows the quantity of objects or their order in counting and answers «сколько? который?». By structure numerals are simple («пять»), complex («пятьдесят») and compound («сорок две»); by meaning they are cardinal, ordinal, collective («двое») and fractional. «Один» changes by gender, number and case; «два» becomes «две» with feminine nouns. After «два, три, четыре» the noun stands in the genitive singular («три книги»); after «пять» and larger numerals, in the genitive plural («пять книг»). In compound cardinals every part is declined («шестидесяти семи»), in compound ordinals only the last word («шестьдесят седьмого»). Collective numerals («двое, трое, четверо») are used with masculine nouns for persons, with «дети, люди» and with plural-only nouns, but not with feminine nouns.