Understanding numbers is essential for effective communication in any language, and French is no exception. Whether you’re shopping, telling time, or discussing dates, knowing how to use numbers in French is crucial. In this blog post, we’ll explore the basics of French numbers, including vocabulary, pronunciation, and usage.
Basic Vocabulary
Cardinal Numbers
These are the numbers used for counting.
- 0 – zéro
- 1 – un
- 2 – deux
- 3 – trois
- 4 – quatre
- 5 – cinq
- 6 – six
- 7 – sept
- 8 – huit
- 9 – neuf
- 10 – dix
Numbers 11-20
- 11 – onze
- 12 – douze
- 13 – treize
- 14 – quatorze
- 15 – quinze
- 16 – seize
- 17 – dix-sept
- 18 – dix-huit
- 19 – dix-neuf
- 20 – vingt
Tens and Hundreds
- 30 – trente
- 40 – quarante
- 50 – cinquante
- 60 – soixante
- 70 – soixante-dix
- 80 – quatre-vingts
- 90 – quatre-vingt-dix
- 100 – cent
Number | French |
---|---|
21 | vingt et un |
22 | vingt-deux |
23 | vingt-trois |
24 | vingt-quatre |
25 | vingt-cinq |
26 | vingt-six |
27 | vingt-sept |
28 | vingt-huit |
29 | vingt-neuf |
30 | trente |
31 | trente et un |
32 | trente-deux |
33 | trente-trois |
34 | trente-quatre |
35 | trente-cinq |
36 | trente-six |
37 | trente-sept |
38 | trente-huit |
39 | trente-neuf |
40 | quarante |
41 | quarante et un |
42 | quarante-deux |
43 | quarante-trois |
44 | quarante-quatre |
45 | quarante-cinq |
46 | quarante-six |
47 | quarante-sept |
48 | quarante-huit |
49 | quarante-neuf |
50 | cinquante |
51 | cinquante et un |
52 | cinquante-deux |
53 | cinquante-trois |
54 | cinquante-quatre |
55 | cinquante-cinq |
56 | cinquante-six |
57 | cinquante-sept |
58 | cinquante-huit |
59 | cinquante-neuf |
60 | soixante |
61 | soixante et un |
62 | soixante-deux |
63 | soixante-trois |
64 | soixante-quatre |
65 | soixante-cinq |
66 | soixante-six |
67 | soixante-sept |
68 | soixante-huit |
69 | soixante-neuf |
70 | soixante-dix |
71 | soixante et onze |
72 | soixante-douze |
73 | soixante-treize |
74 | soixante-quatorze |
75 | soixante-quinze |
76 | soixante-seize |
77 | soixante-dix-sept |
78 | soixante-dix-huit |
79 | soixante-dix-neuf |
80 | quatre-vingts |
81 | quatre-vingt-un |
82 | quatre-vingt-deux |
83 | quatre-vingt-trois |
84 | quatre-vingt-quatre |
85 | quatre-vingt-cinq |
86 | quatre-vingt-six |
87 | quatre-vingt-sept |
88 | quatre-vingt-huit |
89 | quatre-vingt-neuf |
90 | quatre-vingt-dix |
91 | quatre-vingt-onze |
92 | quatre-vingt-douze |
93 | quatre-vingt-treize |
94 | quatre-vingt-quatorze |
95 | quatre-vingt-quinze |
96 | quatre-vingt-seize |
97 | quatre-vingt-dix-sept |
98 | quatre-vingt-dix-huit |
99 | quatre-vingt-dix-neuf |
100 | cent |
Higher Numbers
- 1,000 – mille
- 10,000 – dix mille
- 100,000 – cent mille
- 1,000,000 – un million
Pronunciation Tips
- Un (1) is pronounced like “uh,” while deux (2) sounds like “duh.”
- The number quatre (4) has a hard “k” sound, while cinq (5) has a nasal sound.
- For eighteen (18), remember that it’s pronounced “dix-huit,” literally meaning “ten-eight.”
Usage in Context
Asking for Prices
- Combien ça coûte? (How much does it cost?)
- C’est dix euros. (It’s ten euros.)
Telling Time
- Il est une heure. (It’s one o’clock.)
- Il est trois heures et demie. (It’s three-thirty.)
Dates
- Aujourd’hui, c’est le 15 septembre. (Today is September 15th.)
- Mon anniversaire est le 20 mai. (My birthday is on May 20th.)
Numbers are a fundamental aspect of the French language, enhancing your ability to communicate effectively in everyday situations. By familiarizing yourself with the vocabulary and concepts related to numbers, you’ll be better equipped to navigate conversations, transactions, and interactions in French. Practice using these numbers in context, and soon you’ll feel confident incorporating them into your daily conversations!