neuf œufs
The English phrase "nine eggs" is translated into French as neuf œufs.
This phrase is used to specify a quantity of nine individual eggs.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this context, the word neuf (nine) acts as an invariable adjective and does not change its form to agree with the plural noun œufs.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When saying neuf œufs, English speakers often mistakenly pronounce a hard 'f' sound at the end of neuf. In this specific phrase, the 'f' is pronounced as a 'v' sound because of the liaison with the following vowel.
Did you know?
- If you were to order 'nine new eggs' in a French shop, you would use the exact same words: neuf œufs.
- The number 'nine' in French, neuf, is a distant cousin to the Latin 'novem', which is the root of the English word 'November' (the ninth month in the old Roman calendar).
- The letter combination œ in œufs is called a ligature. It is created by fusing the letters 'o' and 'e' into a single character.
Examples in context
- Je voudrais acheter neuf œufs, s'il vous plaît.I would like to buy nine eggs, please.
- Tu as neuf œufs ?Do you have nine eggs?
- Combien coûtent neuf œufs ?How much do nine eggs cost?
- Il me faut neuf œufs.I need nine eggs.
- Il reste neuf œufs dans le frigo.There are nine eggs left in the fridge.
Example conversation
Lucas and Chloé are preparing breakfast in the kitchen.
- LucasChloé, combien d'œufs est-ce qu'il reste ?Chloé, how many eggs are left?
- ChloéIl reste neuf œufs dans la boîte.There are nine eggs left in the carton.
- LucasParfait, j'ai besoin de neuf œufs pour l'omelette.Perfect, I need nine eggs for the omelet.
- ChloéD'accord, je vais les préparer pour toi.Okay, I will prepare them for you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries neuf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
