milliers
The English phrase 'thousands' is translated into French as milliers.
Note that when writing large numbers in French, a space is used to separate groups of three digits and a decimal comma is used instead of a decimal point (for example, 1 000,50). The most common and universal way to say the singular 'thousand' in French is by using the word mille.
How does it change in a sentence?
When using milliers to express 'thousands of' something, the word must be followed by the preposition de (e.g., milliers de).
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often forget to include de after milliers. In French, milliers cannot directly precede a noun without it.
Did you know?
- The word mille shares a common ancestor with the English word 'mile', as both stem from the Latin 'mille', meaning 'one thousand'.
- The word mille is a homonym in French, serving as both the number 'thousand' and the word for 'mile'.
- While milliers is used for 'thousands of' things, the word mille is used for the specific number 1,000 and is one of the few numbers in French that never takes an 's' at the end, even in the plural.
Examples in context
- Des milliers de gens étaient là.Thousands of people were there.This sentence shows how to use milliers to describe a large number of people.Tatoeba #1351786 by sacredceltic, translation #24497 by CK
- Des milliers d'emplois ont été créés.Thousands of jobs were created.This sentence demonstrates using milliers to quantify jobs.Tatoeba #12916127 by lbdx, translation #5729763 by CM
- Des milliers de personnes manifestent.Thousands of people are demonstrating.This sentence uses milliers to describe people demonstrating.Tatoeba #9354540 by Julien_PDC, translation #11327922 by sundown
- J'ai mille deux cents euros.I have one thousand two hundred euros.
- Cette voiture coûte mille cinq cent euros.This car costs one thousand five hundred euros.
- 76 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Emma and Nathan are talking about a music festival.
- EmmaIl y avait des milliers de fans au concert.There were thousands of fans at the concert.
- NathanC'est incroyable, Nathan a adoré l'ambiance !That's incredible, Nathan loved the atmosphere!
- EmmaOui, des milliers de personnes ont chanté ensemble.Yes, thousands of people sang together.
- NathanJe veux y aller l'année prochaine.I want to go there next year.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
