Bonjour! If you’re interested in learning how to say “twenty” in French, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we will cover both the formal and informal ways to express this number in French. We’ll also provide some helpful tips, examples, and touch upon regional variations when necessary. So, let’s dive in and expand your French vocabulary!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Twenty” in French
When it comes to formal language, you’ll often encounter certain variations in different contexts. Here are some formal ways to express the number “twenty” in French:
1. “Vingt”
The most common and universally accepted way to say “twenty” in French is “vingt”. This word is pronounced as “vahn” with the final “t” remaining silent.
Example: J’ai vingt ans. (I am twenty years old.)
Within formal settings, such as official documents, educational materials, or formal speeches, “vingt” is the go-to term.
Informal Ways to Say “Twenty” in French
Informal language allows for more flexibility and variety. Here are a few alternatives for expressing “twenty” in a more casual manner:
1. “Vingt balles”
A common colloquial expression for “twenty” is “vingt balles”. The term “balles” is a slang term for “bucks” or “dollars,” and it adds a bit of informality to the expression.
Example: Ce T-shirt coûte vingt balles. (This T-shirt costs twenty bucks.)
2. “Vingt patates”
Another informal and slightly playful way to say “twenty” is “vingt patates”. The word “patates” translates to “potatoes.” Although amusing, this expression is regionally specific and colloquial.
Example: J’ai acheté ces bonbons pour vingt patates. (I bought these candies for twenty bucks.)
Please note that regional variations may exist, and these expressions might not be common or even understood the same way everywhere in the French-speaking world.
Additional Tips and Examples
Now that you know how to say “twenty” in both formal and informal French, let’s explore a few additional tips and examples to enhance your understanding:
1. Agreement with Nouns
Just like other French numbers, “vingt” can change its form depending on the noun it modifies. It agrees in gender and number:
- For masculine nouns: vingt.
- For feminine nouns starting with a consonant: vingt.
- For feminine nouns starting with a vowel or mute “h”: vingt.
- For plural nouns: vingt.
Examples:
- J’ai vingt euros. (I have twenty euros.)
- Elle a vingt livres. (She has twenty books.)
- Ils ont vingt arbres. (They have twenty trees.)
2. Ordinal Number:
If you want to express “twentieth” in French, you use the ordinal number “vingtième” (pronounced “vahn-tee-em”).
Example: C’est la vingtième fois que je visite Paris. (It’s the twentieth time I visit Paris.)
3. Learning Beyond “Twenty”
Expanding your French number vocabulary is beneficial. Once you’ve mastered “vingt,” you can easily learn numbers up to a hundred. For example, “trente” means “thirty,” “quarante” means “forty,” and so on.
Voilà! You now have a solid understanding of how to say “twenty” in both formal and informal French. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep practicing and immerse yourself in the French language whenever possible. Soon, you’ll feel more confident using French numbers in various contexts. Bonne chance!
