How To Write Numbers In French: A Comprehensive Guide

French numerals, like the language itself, possess a certain elegance and flair. Mastering them is crucial for anyone wanting to confidently navigate French-speaking environments, whether for travel, business, or personal enrichment. This guide offers a comprehensive breakdown of how to write numbers in French, covering everything from basic digits to complex figures.

Understanding the Basics: 0-10

Let’s start with the foundation. Learning the numbers from zero to ten is the first step to mastering French numerals. These are the building blocks for all other numbers.

  • Zero: zéro
  • One: un
  • Two: deux
  • Three: trois
  • Four: quatre
  • Five: cinq
  • Six: six
  • Seven: sept
  • Eight: huit
  • Nine: neuf
  • Ten: dix

Memorizing these is crucial. Practice writing them out repeatedly until they become second nature.

Numbers 11-69: Combining Tens and Units

Once you’ve mastered the first ten, building upon them to reach sixty-nine is relatively straightforward. You combine the tens and units, using “et” (and) between them only when the units digit is not zero.

  • Eleven: onze
  • Twelve: douze
  • Thirteen: treize
  • Twenty: vingt
  • Thirty: trente
  • Forty: quarante
  • Fifty: cinquante
  • Sixty: soixante
  • Sixty-one: soixante et un
  • Sixty-nine: soixante-neuf

Numbers 70-99: A Slight Twist

From seventy onwards, things change slightly. Instead of directly combining the tens and units, we use a hyphen.

  • Seventy: soixante-dix
  • Eighty: quatre-vingts
  • Ninety: quatre-vingt-dix

Note the irregularities with eighty and ninety. These are historical quirks you’ll simply need to memorize. Numbers between 70 and 79, and 90 and 99, follow the same hyphenated pattern as above. For example:

  • Seventy-five: soixante-quinze
  • Ninety-nine: quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

Reaching the Hundreds: Cent, Deux Cents, and Beyond

Reaching the hundreds introduces the word “cent” (one hundred). Numbers from 100 to 999 follow a consistent pattern.

  • One hundred: cent
  • Two hundred: deux cents
  • Three hundred: trois cents
  • One hundred and one: cent un
  • Two hundred and fifty: deux cent cinquante
  • Nine hundred and ninety-nine: neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

Thousands and Beyond: Mille, Million, Milliard

Moving into thousands, millions, and billions introduces “mille” (thousand), “million,” and “milliard” (billion). Note that “un mille” is rarely used, instead, “mille” stands alone.

  • One thousand: mille
  • One million: un million
  • One billion: un milliard
  • Ten thousand: dix mille
  • One hundred thousand: cent mille
  • One million, one hundred thousand: un million cent mille

Ordinal Numbers: First, Second, Third, and So On

Ordinal numbers indicate position or order (first, second, third, etc.). These often require adding suffixes to the cardinal numbers.

  • First: premier(e)
  • Second: deuxième
  • Third: troisième
  • Fourth: quatrième
  • Fifth: cinquième
  • Sixth: sixième
  • And so on…

Dates and Times: Applying Your Knowledge

Now that you understand the basics, let’s apply this knowledge to writing dates and times in French. Dates generally follow the day-month-year format (e.g., 25 octobre 2024). Times are expressed similarly to English, but using the 24-hour clock is more common.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many learners stumble over the irregularities in the numbers 70-99 and the use of “et” (and). Consistent practice and careful attention to detail are key to avoiding these common pitfalls.

Mastering French Numerals: Practice Makes Perfect

The key to mastering French numerals is consistent practice. Try writing numbers out loud, using them in sentences, and engaging in conversations that require their use. The more you practice, the more natural and effortless it will become.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say “a million dollars” in French? You would say “un million de dollars.” Note the use of “de” (of) before the currency.

What’s the difference between “vingt” and “vingtaine”? “Vingt” means twenty, while “vingtaine” means “about twenty” or “twenties.”

Is there a difference between using “et” and a hyphen? Yes, “et” is used to connect units to tens only when the units digit is not zero (e.g., soixante et un). Hyphens are used for numbers 70-79 and 90-99.

How do I write large numbers (billions and trillions)? For numbers larger than a milliard (billion), you’d continue using the standard pattern, adding “billion,” “trillion,” etc., as needed.

How are fractions written in French? Fractions are written using cardinal numbers (e.g., un demi – one half, deux tiers – two thirds).

In conclusion, writing numbers in French involves understanding the basic digits, mastering the patterns for tens, hundreds, and thousands, and acknowledging the unique irregularities present in the language. Consistent practice, coupled with attention to detail regarding hyphens and the conjunction “et,” will lead to fluency and confidence in using French numerals in any context.