vingt et un
The French phrase for twenty-one is vingt et un.
vingt et un is the cardinal number used for counting or specifying quantities.
Meaning: cardinal number (num)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is literally twenty and one.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a feminine noun, the form changes to vingt et une.
Did you know?
- While vingt et un is the standard for 21, French changes its numbering logic entirely once you reach 70, where 71 is expressed as soixante et onze or 'sixty and eleven'.
- The word vingt shares a deep root with the English word 'vigintillion', a number followed by 63 zeros.
- The letter 'g' in vingt is completely silent. It exists in the spelling only because Middle French writers added it back to make the word look more like its Latin ancestor.
Examples in context
- Il y a vingt et un élèves dans la salle de classe.There are twenty-one students in the classroom.
- J'ai vingt et une pommes.I have twenty-one apples.
- Il y a vingt et un élèves dans la classe.There are twenty-one students in the class.
Example conversation
Emma and Gabriel are checking the inventory of a small cafe.
- GabrielEmma, combien de chaises avons-nous ?Emma, how many chairs do we have?
- EmmaIl y en a vingt et un, Gabriel.There are twenty-one, Gabriel.
- GabrielC'est parfait pour le service de ce soir.That is perfect for tonight's service.
- EmmaD'accord, je vais tout préparer.Okay, I will prepare everything.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries et, un, vingt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
