décimal
/de.si.mal/masculine
The English phrase 'decimal' can be translated into French as décimal. If unsure, use décimal. Wiktionary also lists système décimal.
Meaning: number system (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| décimal | /de.si.mal/ | masculine |
| système décimal | masculine |
The term relates to the decimal number system. You can use système décimal to refer to the system itself, or the adjective décimal when describing things concerning numbers expressed in decimal or calculations using decimal.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective décimal changes to the feminine form décimale when modifying a feminine noun, such as in the phrase une décimale (a decimal place).
How do you pronounce it?
/de.si.mal/. The word has 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use a period to separate decimals in French. In French, you should use a comma, known as une virgule, instead.
Did you know?
- The term décimal is a close relative of the French word dîme, which refers to a 'tithe' or a tenth of income paid to the church.
- In French grammar, une décimale is a noun meaning 'a decimal digit', whereas in English, 'a decimal' often refers to the entire number.
- Because French uses the virgule, many English-speaking software users often struggle with French localized spreadsheets that fail to recognize the period as a separator.
Examples in context
- C'est un nombre décimal.This is a decimal number.This sentence shows how to use décimal to describe a number.Tatoeba #10827932 by lbdx, translation #10815251 by AlanF_US
- Anna connaît par cœur les mille premières décimales de π.Anna knows the first thousand decimal places of π by heart.This sentence uses the form décimale to refer to decimal places.Tatoeba #446122 by Archibald, translation #530795 by wma
- Le système décimal est utilisé pour représenter les nombres avec une virguleThe decimal system is used to represent numbers with a comma
- Les fractions décimales sont souvent utilisées en mathématiquesDecimal fractions are often used in mathematics
- J'ai acheté une baguette pour 2,50 eurosI bought a baguette for 2.50 euros
- La partie décimale du nombre est 25The decimal part of the number is 25
- Zéro virgule cinqZero comma five
- Dix virgule deuxTen comma two
- Le système décimal est très utilisé.The decimal system is very widely used.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Manon and Hugo are studying mathematics together.
- ManonEst-ce que tu comprends le système décimal ?Do you understand the decimal system?
- HugoOui, c'est assez simple pour moi.Yes, it is quite simple for me.
- ManonC'est super, Hugo, tu peux m'aider alors.That's great, Hugo, you can help me then.
- HugoBien sûr, Manon, regarde cet exercice.Of course, Manon, look at this exercise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decimal” translations and entries décimal, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
