dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-treize
The French way to say nineteen ninety three is dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-treize.
How does it change in a sentence?
While dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-treize is a common way to say this year, the form mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-treize is also grammatically correct and expresses the same year.
Did you know?
- The number 'quatre-vingt' in this phrase literally translates to 'four twenties', a quirk of French arithmetic that persists even when stating years.
- In Belgium and Switzerland, the word quatre-vingt is often replaced by octante or huitante, meaning the year would be dix-neuf cent huitante-treize.
- While 'cent' in the phrase dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-treize means 'hundred', the English word 'cent' (meaning a unit of currency) actually shares the same Latin ancestor, 'centum'.
Example conversation
Nathan and Manon are talking about an old movie.
- NathanCe film est sorti en dix-neuf cent quatre-vingt-treize.This movie came out in nineteen ninety-three.
- ManonC'est vrai, il est assez vieux.That's true, it is quite old.
- NathanTu l'as déjà vu, Manon ?Have you already seen it, Manon?
- ManonNon, je veux le regarder.No, I want to watch it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cent, CC BY-SA 4.0.
