Understanding French Numbers: Grammar Rules You Need to Know
Learning French numbers can be a challenge, especially when faced with their unique counting system. Whether you're a beginner or brushing up your skills, mastering French numbers is essential for daily conversations, travel, or even conducting business in French-speaking regions. In this article, we’ll break down the essential grammar rules and provide tips to help you confidently understand and use French numbers.
1. The Basics of French Numbers: 0 to 20
The foundation of French numbers starts with 0 to 20. These numbers are essential because they form the building blocks for larger numbers. Here’s a quick overview:
0: zéro
1: un
2: deux
3: trois
4: quatre
5: cinq
6: six
7: sept
8: huit
9: neuf
10: dix
11: onze
12: douze
13: treize
14: quatorze
15: quinze
16: seize
17: dix-sept
18: dix-huit
19: dix-neuf
20: vingt
2. Counting Beyond 20: Rules to Remember
21, 31, 41, etc.: The Insertion of "et"
For numbers like 21, 31, 41, and so on, the word "et" (meaning "and") is inserted:
21: vingt et un
31: trente et un
However, this rule applies only to numbers ending in 1. For other numbers, the conjunction "et" is omitted:
22: vingt-deux
32: trente-deux
Numbers 70-99: A Unique Pattern
French numbers from 70 to 99 can seem tricky due to their reliance on addition and multiplication:
70-79: Start with "soixante" (60) and add 10 to 19:
70: soixante-dix (60 + 10)
71: soixante-onze (60 + 11)
80-99: Begin with "quatre-vingts" (literally "four twenties") and add:
80: quatre-vingts
81: quatre-vingt-un
91: quatre-vingt-onze
3. Plurals with French Numbers
The plural rule applies to "vingt" and "cent" but only under certain conditions:
Vingt and cent take an "s" when multiplied but not followed by another number:
80: quatre-vingts (with an "s")
81: quatre-vingt-un (no "s")
Mille (thousand) never takes an "s," regardless of context:
2,000: deux mille
4. Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers (first, second, third, etc.) are used to indicate order. In French, they are formed by adding -ième to the cardinal number, with a few exceptions:
1st: premier/première
2nd: deuxième (or second/seconde)
3rd: troisième
For numbers ending in -e, such as quatre (4), the final -e is dropped before adding -ième:
4th: quatrième
5. Common Uses of Numbers in French
Telling Time
French uses the 24-hour clock for formal settings, but the 12-hour clock is common in casual conversations. Don’t forget to use "heure(s)" after the hour:
3:00: trois heures
15:00: quinze heures
Dates
French dates follow the day-month-year format, and ordinal numbers are only used for the first day of the month:
1st of January: le premier janvier
5th of March: le 5 mars
Prices and Currency
When stating prices, the currency symbol follows the number:
€10: dix euros
€4.50: quatre euros cinquante
6. Tips to Master French Numbers
Practice Daily: Incorporate numbers into your routine by reading prices, dates, or times aloud.
Use Flashcards: Create flashcards to test yourself on tricky numbers, especially those between 70 and 99.
Listen and Repeat: Watch French videos or listen to audio that includes numbers to familiarize yourself with their pronunciation.
Conclusion
Understanding French numbers requires a mix of memorization and practice, but with the right approach, you'll master them in no time. Focus on the rules outlined here, and don’t hesitate to immerse yourself in real-world scenarios where numbers are used.