grands nombres
The French phrase for big numbers is grands nombres.
The phrase refers to numerical values that are large in size. You can use various expressions to describe large quantities or approximations in French. For example, you can say Environ un million for about a million, Près d'un milliard for close to a billion or Aux alentours de dix millions for around ten million. When specifying what the number refers to, such as currency or people, you include the noun, like in Un million d'euros (one million euros) or Deux millions de personnes (two million people). You may also use collective terms like Une centaine de grammes (a hundred grams) or Des dizaines de milliers (dozens of thousands).
Did you know?
- When counting to 70, 80, or 90, French uses mathematical expressions instead of single words. You say soixante-dix for 70, which literally means 'sixty-ten', and quatre-vingts for 80, meaning 'four twenties'.
- French uses a space as a thousands separator instead of a comma, such as writing 1 000 000 instead of 1,000,000. Using a comma in a big number would actually indicate a decimal point in French.
- If you are talking about a billion in English, be careful: in French, un billion actually refers to a trillion. To say the English 'billion', you must use un milliard.
Examples in context
- Je ne comprends pas les grands nombres.I do not understand big numbers.
Example conversation
Nathan is helping Manon with her mathematics homework.
- NathanEst-ce que tu comprends ces grands nombres ?Do you understand these big numbers?
- ManonNon, Nathan, c'est trop difficile pour moi.No, Nathan, it is too difficult for me.
- NathanJe peux t'aider avec les grands nombres.I can help you with the big numbers.
- ManonMerci, tu es très gentil.Thank you, you are very kind.
