seize
/sɛz/
The French word for the Roman numeral xvi is seize.
seize is used to represent the number sixteen.
How do you pronounce it?
/sɛz/
Did you know?
- The number seize is often used in French slang to refer to the '16th arrondissement' of Paris, a wealthy area known for its luxury and elegance.
- The Latin root sēdecim influenced not only the French seize but also the English word 'sedecimal', which refers to a base-16 numbering system.
- The Latin root 'sedecim' for seize contains 'decem', meaning 'ten', which is the same root found in the English word 'decimal'.
Examples in context
- Les seize élèvesThe sixteen students
- Seize orangesSixteen oranges
- J'ai seize ans.I am sixteen years old.
- Il y a seize pommes.There are sixteen apples.
- Le numéro est seize.The number is sixteen.
Example conversation
Manon and Lucas are checking the time on a schedule.
- ManonÀ quelle heure est le rendez-vous ?What time is the appointment?
- LucasC'est à seize heures.It is at 4 p.m.
- ManonC'est parfait pour moi, Lucas.That is perfect for me, Lucas.
- LucasD'accord, on se voit là-bas.Alright, we will see each other there.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry seize, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries seize, CC BY-SA 4.0.
