Bonjour! If you’re looking to learn how to say numbers in French, you’ve come to the right place. Whether you want to know how to count from one to ten or express larger numbers, this guide will provide you with both formal and informal ways to say numbers in French. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Counting from One to Ten
Let’s start with the basics! Here’s how to count from one to ten in French:
Formal:
- 1 – un
- 2 – deux
- 3 – trois
- 4 – quatre
- 5 – cinq
- 6 – six
- 7 – sept
- 8 – huit
- 9 – neuf
- 10 – dix
In formal settings, these are the most widely used words to express numbers from one to ten in French.
Informal: In informal conversations, you may come across some alternative ways to express numbers from one to ten:
Informal:
- 1 – un ouais
- 2 – deux ouais
- 3 – trois ouais
- 4 – quatre ouais
- 5 – cinq ouais
- 6 – six ouais
- 7 – sept ouais
- 8 – huit ouais
- 9 – neuf ouais
- 10 – dix ouais
Note that these informal variations often add “ouais” after the number, which is a colloquial way of saying “yeah.”
Numbers Beyond Ten
Now, let’s move on to expressing numbers beyond ten. In French, larger numbers follow a pattern. Here are the multiples of ten up to one hundred:
Formal:
- 20 – vingt
- 30 – trente
- 40 – quarante
- 50 – cinquante
- 60 – soixante
- 70 – soixante-dix (sixty-ten)
- 80 – quatre-vingts (four-twenties)
- 90 – quatre-vingt-dix (four-twenties-ten)
Note that “soixante-dix” (seventy) literally means “sixty-ten,” and “quatre-vingts” (eighty) translates to “four-twenties,” which means four times twenty. Moreover, “quatre-vingt-dix” (ninety) represents “four-twenties-ten.”
Informal: In informal contexts, you might come across alternative ways to express numbers beyond ten:
Informal:
- 70 – septante or septante et…
- 80 – huitante or octante
- 90 – nonante
These informal variations are mostly used in Belgium and parts of Switzerland. However, they may not be as common in other French-speaking regions.
Counting in Hundreds and Thousands
To express numbers in the hundreds and thousands, the French language follows a specific pattern. Here are some examples:
- 100 – cent
- 200 – deux cents
- 300 – trois cents
- 1000 – mille
- 2000 – deux mille
- 3000 – trois mille
Note that the pattern continues as you move into higher numbers. For instance:
- 1200 – mille deux cents
- 1500 – mille cinq cents
- 2500 – deux mille cinq cents
- 5000 – cinq mille
- 10,000 – dix mille
Tips for Pronunciation
Pronouncing numbers accurately in French can seem challenging at first, but with practice, you’ll master it. Here are a few tips to help you improve your pronunciation:
- Take note of silent letters: Some numbers in French have silent letters, such as the “s” in “quatre” (four) and the final “s” in “cinq” (five).
- Pay attention to liaisons: In some cases, liaisons occur between numbers when followed by a vowel or mute “h.” For example, “vingt-et-un” (twenty-one) and “quatre-vingt-huit” (eighty-eight).
- Practice rhythm and stress: French numbers have their own rhythm and stress patterns. Listen to native speakers and imitate their intonation to improve your pronunciation.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now learned how to say numbers in French, both formally and informally. From counting from one to ten, expressing larger numbers, to understanding patterns for hundreds and thousands, you have a solid foundation.
Remember, practice is key. The more you use and hear French numbers, the more comfortable and confident you’ll become. So, keep practicing, and before you know it, you’ll be effortlessly counting and expressing numbers in French.
Au revoir and happy language learning!
