French Numbers: Step-by-Step Counting Guide

Numbers 11 to 19

Speaking of the next set of numbers, there are two patterns. From 11 to 16, they all end in -ze. Their base comes from 1-6, but most slightly change, dropping their endings. So, treize has its recognizable beginning tr; however, then it goes -ei- and -ze. They are not identical.

From 17 to 19, you just need to take the ones from 7 to 9 and put dix (10) before them, connecting them with a hyphen (–). 

Having learned the basics of how to count in French, it will be easier to grasp the rest as you begin understanding the logic behind pronunciation and learning how to use them in sentences. However, from 20 to 100, French numbers introduce new patterns and special usage rules. Let’s dive in. 

Tens

The tens in French are formed up to 60, and after that, there is a specific counting rule for 70, 80 and 90. 

Let’s look at the formation principle:

• Soixante-dix (70) = soixante (60) + dix (10) 
• Quatre-vingts (80) = quatre fois vingts = 4×20
• Quatre-vingt-dix (90) = 4×20+10

Yeah, you need to know the basic math to understand the logic behind counting.

Using et in numbers

Take a careful look at this picture and move your eyes to the numbers from 21 to 71. Do you see the pattern that repeats in the figures that end in 1? They are instances of using et with numbers. 

In simple terms, et is the alternative to the word and that is common in many languages when you separate the tens and the ones.

This is a historical attribute developed to simplify pronunciation, and is still used in modern French, but only with specific numbers. Look at the entire list below:

Remember that you don’t need to use et with any other numbers in French (22, 33, 44 and so on). Starting from 81, this rule doesn’t work like that, as the formation is a bit different.

Here comes a new category of large numbers, and you are already partially familiar with it, because this topic is closely related to the previous one. The difference between ones, hundreds, and thousands is that you just need to add a cent to un, deux, and trois. Let’s discuss each in particular. 

Hundreds 

The major player in this section is the word cent; it is the building block of all numbers in French related to hundreds. Don’t mistake its pronunciation, it is very different from the word cent in English, as it should be said as /sɑ̃/.

It can be written as cent or cents, depending on the numbers that surround it. For example, if there is nothing after it, like in 200, 300, 400, 500, you add the -s ending:

Does any figure go after a cent? Then, you don’t add -s when another number is added after a cent. 

Thousands and millions

Here, the largest numbers come, but the patterns remain pretty simple. Speaking of thousands, the main word you see is mille. Things are easier than with hundreds because mille doesn’t change its form, staying the same no matter what goes before or after it.

From the examples, you can see that you don’t need to use any articles with mille when counting in French, because it is not a noun. However, when it comes to millions, the situation is completely different. 

The French word million is written the same way it is in English. As an ordinary masculine noun, it can have the ending -s when you mention more than one million, is used with articles and is followed by de or d’:

Once you need to pronounce such combinations as shown above, it is important to know how to do it quickly and confidently. Group the numbers to:

• Millions — trois millions
• Thousands — quarante-trois mille 
• Hundreds — trois cent
• Tens — quatre-vingt-quatorze

You just name each group of numbers one after another.

Les nombres ordinaux (ordinal numbers) allow you to point at the order or position of something. You use them when answering the question lequel ? / laquelle ? that means which one? in English.

By contrast, the cardinal numbers are used for counting and telling the amount or quantity of something, when answering how many? or how much?.

Below are the writing examples of numbers in French with a pronunciation button, from 1 to 21.

You can see that the main rule is to add the ending -ième to almost all numbers in French. 

The spelling of some numbers changes, for example, cinq (5) gets an additional -u-, and only then do you add -ième (cinquième). With neuf (9), you need to drop f and add -v instead (neuvième).

Take into account the gender agreement. When writing sentences with masculine nouns, you need to use the article le:

With feminine nouns, you use the article la:

Now you know the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers, and you have also got acquainted with large figures. It is time to learn how you can put this knowledge into practice.

How do you tell dates in French?

The structure is simple: start with the article le, name the day, then the month and finally the year.

Examples: 

How do you say your age in French?

The way is similar to the English version, but instead of forms of the to be, you need to use avoir (to have). Look at the formula:

Here are some examples:

Examples:

How to read prices in French?

When speaking about prices, you deal with currencies (in France, it is euros) and cents (centimes). So you need to divide the price into two categories and name them as separate numbers, like one euro fifty and two euros twenty-five. 

Look at the instances and listen to their pronunciation. 

For paying in cafes

For buying tickets

For paying in shops

How to tell time in French?

Europe uses the 24-hour clock, especially in formal contexts and schedules, but you will also hear how people from there use the 12-hour clock, so it is important to know both formats to not miss an important meeting or a flight. 

The beginning of the structure for both ways is the same, and it sounds similar in English:

Examples:

Here are some more common time expressions:

When mentioning the morning hours, you need to add du matin:   Il est huit heures du matin. Speaking of the time in the afternoon, don’t forget about de l’après-midi:   Il est trois heures de l’après-midi. In the evening, you need to say du soir:   Il est huit heures du soir.

With the 24-hour clock, you don’t need to specify the time of the day, but when it comes to 1:00 p.m., you continue counting with 13, 14, 15, and so on:

Examples:

You’ve found out how to count to a million, learned how to apply numbers in practice, and it is time to test how well you’ve grasped the material. Complete a sequence of activities based on the topics we’ve discussed. If you don’t know the answer, try looking it up in our guide.

Mastering every number in French requires a patient approach, and then even a peculiar topic with many exceptions will be an easy task. Just follow this routine: 

When all French numbers from the core list are backed by some facts from your life, it is easier to retrieve them from your memory, as they become true for you. For example, if your house number is 77, you can write it like my house — soixante-dix-sept.

Start from the very beginning. How many brothers and sisters do you have? How many seasons are there in your favorite TV series? And then move confidently, like Coraline when she needed to count all the items in her new house.

When it comes to numbers, everything matters, including special signs, words that surround them and the gender. Below, you will find a list of the frequently occurring hiccups that happen with every beginning and sometimes even with advanced learners. 

Knowing them will help you avoid them in your speaking and writing. 

Number agreement 

In French, verbs, nouns and adjectives agree in number. It is correct to pluralize only the noun, as the other parts of speech require the proper forms as well.  

Misusing et in numbers

Et is used in numbers such as 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71 to connect two pairs of digits: vingt-et-un, trente-et-un, quarante-et-un and so on.

Forgetting about gender with un

You need to agree the word un with the gender of the nouns. Un is used with masculine nouns, and une is with the feminine ones. 

Confusing regional versions

It is correct to say septante (70), huitante (80), and nonante (90) in Belgium or Switzerland, but in France, you need to use the standard versions: soixante-dix (60 + 10), quatre-vingts (4 × 20), quatre-vingt-dix (4 × 20 + 10).  

So the incorrect sentences below apply only to France.

Having learned the patterns of number formation, their differences and common mistakes, you will have the necessary base needed to use them correctly. Furthermore, work on your French numbers pronunciation, as it is quite tricky and requires regular practice.

Train numbers by writing dates, numbers, birthdays, time, and addresses, and soon they will sound natural and authentic in your speech.