un à vingt
The phrase un à vingt is how you say one to twenty in French.
A range of numbers starting at one and ending at twenty.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of un (one), à (to/at) and vingt (twenty).
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition à is used here to express a range between two numbers, similar to the English 'to'.
Did you know?
- The spelling of vingt contains a 'g' that was added back by scribes in Middle French to preserve the original sound, even though the letter had vanished from the spoken word for centuries.
- The preposition à is actually a linguistic merger of two distinct Latin prepositions, 'ad' and 'ab'.
- Instead of specifying a range from un à vingt, French speakers often use the word vingtaine to describe an approximate group of twenty things.
Examples in context
- Nous avons reçu un total de seize candidatures pour le poste.We received a total of sixteen applications for the position.
- Comptez de un à vingt.Count from one to twenty.
Example conversation
Nathan is practicing numbers with Chloé.
- NathanJe peux compter de un à vingt.I can count from one to twenty.
- ChloéC'est bien, Nathan. Fais-le maintenant.That's good, Nathan. Do it now.
- NathanUn, deux, trois… et vingt !One, two, three… and twenty!
- ChloéParfait, Chloé est fière de toi.Perfect, Chloé is proud of you.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries un, vingt, à, CC BY-SA 4.0.
