point
/pwɛ̃/masculine
The English phrase "decimal point" is translated into French as point. Wiktionary also lists point décimal.
Meaning: the point used in English mathematics (noun)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| point | /pwɛ̃/ | masculine |
| point décimal | masculine |
The term refers to the dot used in English mathematics.
Which one should you use?
In French, a comma is used instead of a decimal point to separate integer and fractional parts. Therefore, the term for the symbol actually used in French math is virgule.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word point is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/pwɛ̃/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the word point when reading a decimal number in French, whereas a native speaker would say virgule.
Did you know?
- The term virgule literally means 'little rod' or 'twig', describing the curved shape of the comma used in French decimals.
- If a French person sees a 'point' in a number, they may interpret it as a thousands separator rather than a decimal, leading to a value difference of a thousandfold.
- The French word point comes from the Latin pūnctum, which is also the ancestor of the English word 'puncture'.
Examples in context
- Tu dois ajouter deux zéros après le point pour obtenir le montant exact.You need to add two zeros after the decimal point to get the exact amount.
- Il est important d'utiliser une virgule au lieu du point décimal pour les nombres décimaux au Canada.It is important to use a comma instead of a decimal point for decimal numbers in Canada.
- deux virgule cinqTwo point five
- Il y a un point après le deux.There is a decimal point after the two.
- Le point sépare les unités des centièmes.The decimal point separates units from hundredths.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are studying math together.
- ManonRegarde, Lucas, j'ai oublié le point ici.Look, Lucas, I forgot the decimal point here.
- LucasC'est vrai, le résultat est maintenant faux.That's true, the result is wrong now.
- ManonEst-ce que je dois le mettre après le deux ?Should I put it after the two?
- LucasOui, place le point juste là.Yes, put the decimal point right there.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “decimal point” translations and entries point, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries décimal, point, CC BY-SA 4.0.
