neuf
/nœf/
The French word for nine is neuf.
neuf is the cardinal number for nine. It can also be used as a noun to refer to the digit or figure 9. In informal contexts, such as when discussing money, you might hear the slang expression neuf balles to mean nine bucks.
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
Which one should you use?
neuf is a homonym that can mean both the number nine and the adjective for 'new' when referring to inanimate objects.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When neuf is used as an adjective meaning 'new', it must agree in gender with the noun it modifies. For feminine nouns, the form becomes neuve.
How do you pronounce it?
/nœf/
Did you know?
- The word neuf originates from the Latin novem, which shares a root with the English word 'November', the ninth month of the ancient Roman calendar.
- The number neuf is the only single-digit cardinal number in French that is a perfect homonym with a common adjective.
- In French, if you want to say something is 'brand new', you often use the adjective neuf instead of nouveau, which is used for something recently acquired.
Examples in context
- Un chat a neuf vies.A cat has nine lives.This sentence shows neuf used to count lives.Tatoeba #129812 by sacredceltic, translation #282019 by CM
- Ouvre à la page neuf.Open at page nine.This sentence shows neuf used to indicate a page number.Tatoeba #457243 by sacredceltic, translation #2212968 by Ploomich
- J'ai dormi neuf heures.I slept nine hours.This sentence shows neuf used to quantify hours.Tatoeba #584707 by qdii, translation #252634 by CK
- J'ai besoin de neuf crayons pour mon projet d'art.I need nine pencils for my art project.
- Mon anniversaire est le neuf juillet.My birthday is on the ninth of July.
- J'ai acheté cette robe pour neuf euros seulement !I bought this dress for only nine euros!
- Nous avons neuf mois pour terminer ce projet.We have nine months to complete this project.
- Mon chat a déjà neuf vies !My cat already has nine lives!
- 150 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Léa are talking about their meeting time.
- LucasOn se voit à neuf heures ?Shall we meet at nine o'clock?
- LéaOui, c'est parfait pour moi.Yes, that is perfect for me.
- LucasD'accord, j'arrive à neuf heures pile.Okay, I will arrive at nine sharp.
- LéaÀ demain alors, Lucas !See you tomorrow then, Lucas!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nine” translations and entries neuf, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries neuf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
