cardinal
gb/kˈɑɹdɪnəl/ us/kˈɑɹdɪnəl/
B1
English
~ 3000
alapvető, sarkalatos, bíborosmadár, piros kardinálispinty, tőszámnév, tőszámnévi, bíboros
B2
1
alapvető
B1
sarkalatos
C1
Usage pattern:
[something] is cardinal
Honesty is a cardinal virtue in our profession.
A becsületesség alapvető erény a szakmánkban.
The cardinal rule in driving is to stay alert.
A vezetés alapszabálya, hogy mindig ébernek kell maradni.
Respect for others is a cardinal principle of our community.
One cardinal error can ruin the entire project.
Safety is the cardinal concern during construction.
Learner examples
This is the cardinal rule of the game.
Ez a játék alapvető szabálya.
Honesty is a cardinal value for good friends.
Az őszinteség alapvető érték a jó barátok között.
Safety is the cardinal thing at work.
The teacher told us the cardinal rule of the class.
The cardinal idea is to help each other.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'cardinal' with 'ordinal' when talking about numbers. 'Cardinal' here means 'most important', not a type of number.
Meaning
Most important or fundamental
Collocations
cardinal rule
|cardinal principle
|cardinal virtue
|cardinal error
Synonyms
fundamental (Very close in meaning, but often used more generally for basic structures or truths.)
|
essential (Stresses necessity rather than priority.)
Antonyms
minor (Indicates something of lesser importance.)
|
trivial (Suggests something unimportant or insignificant.)
Themes
importance
|rules
|principles
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Most important; something that must be done or followed.
Of the greatest importance; fundamental and essential.
NOUN
B1
2
A male cardinal perched on the fence and sang loudly.
Egy hím bíborosmadár a kerítésre telepedett, és hangosan énekelt.
We spotted a bright red cardinal in the garden this morning.
Ma reggel egy élénkpiros bíborosmadarat láttunk a kertben.
Cardinals are common in the eastern United States.
The cardinal's song is easy to recognize.
She painted a picture of a cardinal in winter.
Learner examples
I saw a red cardinal in the tree.
Láttam egy piros bíborosmadarat a fán.
The male cardinal is very bright.
A hím bíborosmadár nagyon élénkpiros.
A cardinal sang outside my window.
A cardinal lives in our garden.
We saw a female cardinal on the branch.
Meaning
Bright red North American songbird
Collocations
male cardinal
|female cardinal
|red cardinal
Synonyms
redbird (Informal term for the same bird.)
Themes
animals
|nature
Definition
A small bird from North America. The male is bright red.
A North American songbird, the male of which has bright red plumage and a crest on its head.
B2
TECHNICAL
3
tőszámnév
B2
tőszámnévi
B2
In mathematics, 'five' is a cardinal number, while 'fifth' is an ordinal number.
A matematikában az „öt” tőszámnév, míg az „ötödik” sorszámnév.
Cardinal numbers are used for counting objects.
A tőszámneveket tárgyak megszámlálására használjuk.
Zero is also considered a cardinal number by some definitions.
The teacher explained the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers.
She wrote down the cardinal values for each category.
Learner examples
One, two, and three are cardinal numbers.
Az „egy”, a „kettő” és a „három” mind tőszámnév.
Cardinal numbers tell how many things there are.
A tőszámnevek azt fejezik ki, hogy hány dolog van.
Five is a cardinal number.
Cardinal numbers are different from first, second, and third.
We use cardinal numbers to count.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'cardinal' with 'ordinal' when talking about numbers; 'cardinal' shows quantity, not position.
Meaning
Relating to counting numbers
Collocations
cardinal number
Synonyms
quantitative (Technical term referring to numerical quantity.)
Antonyms
ordinal (Refers to numbers showing order or position rather than quantity.)
Themes
mathematics
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
About numbers that tell how many, not what order.
Relating to a number that represents quantity rather than order, such as one, two, three.
NOUN
B2
FORMAL
4
bíboros
B2
The pope appointed three new cardinals this year.
A pápa idén három új bíborost nevezett ki.
Cardinals wear distinctive red robes during ceremonies.
A bíborosok a szertartásokon jellegzetes vörös ruhát viselnek.
The College of Cardinals meets to elect a new pope.
As a cardinal, he had significant influence in church matters.
Several cardinals attended the conference at the Vatican.
Learner examples
The pope spoke with the cardinals.
A pápa beszélt a bíborosokkal.
A cardinal wears red clothes in church.
A bíboros vörös ruhát visel a templomban.
Cardinals help choose the next pope.
He became a cardinal after many years as a bishop.
There are many cardinals in the Catholic Church.
Meaning
High-ranking Catholic official
Collocations
college of cardinals
|Catholic cardinal
Synonyms
church dignitary (Broad term for high-ranking church officials.)
Themes
religion
Definition
A very important leader in the Catholic Church who helps choose the pope.
A senior official of the Roman Catholic Church, ranking below the pope and appointed to advise him and elect his successor.
Grammar
Dictionary form
cardinal
IPA
GB/kˈɑɹdɪnəl/
US/kˈɑɹdɪnəl/
Syllables & stress
car - din - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (car)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: cardinal
Noun
- Base: cardinal
- Plural: cardinal, cardinals
Word family
Forms
cardinals
noun
Advanced or less common
cardinality
noun
cardinally
adverb
Expressions
cardinal rule
1/kˈɑɹdɪnəl ɹˈul/
fixed phrase
Most important rule or principle
The most important rule that must be followed.
Examples
- A cardinal rule of cooking is to taste as you go.
- Never lie to your friends—that's my cardinal rule.
cardinal sin
1/kˈɑɹdɪnəl sˈɪn/
fixed phrase
Very serious mistake or wrongdoing
A very bad mistake or action that breaks an important rule or moral law.
Examples
- In journalism, making up facts is a cardinal sin.
- Forgetting her birthday was his cardinal sin.