1-20: The building blocks
1-16 are separate words that you learn by heart. From 17 on, the number is dix plus the digit: dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf.
un
1
deux
2
trois
3
quatre
4
cinq
5
six
6
sept
7
huit
8
neuf
9
dix
10
onze
11
douze
12
treize
13
quatorze
14
quinze
15
seize
16
dix-sept
17
dix-huit
18
dix-neuf
19
vingt
20
20-69: Tens and digits
Each ten from 20 to 60 has its own word. Add the digit with a hyphen: vingt-deux. Only with the digit 1 does et (and) replace the hyphen: vingt et un.
vingt et un
21
trente-deux
32
quarante-cinq
45
cinquante et un
51
soixante-neuf
69
70-100: Now the counting changes
There are no separate words for 70, 80 and 90. French builds on 60 and on 4 × 20 and then adds 1-19. Only 100 is a simple word again: cent.
| Number | Calculation | Français |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | 60 + 10 | soixante-dix |
| 80 | 4 × 20 | quatre-vingts |
| 90 | 4 × 20 + 10 | quatre-vingt-dix |
soixante et onze
71
soixante-dix-sept
77
quatre-vingt-un
81
quatre-vingt-dix-neuf
99
cent
100
71 is the last number with et. 81 and 91 have no et.
Only exactly 80 takes an s: quatre-vingts. When another number follows, the s drops: quatre-vingt-un.
In Belgium and Switzerland you will hear septante (70) and nonante (90) instead, and in parts of Switzerland huitante (80).
Pronunciation: final consonants
cinq, huit, neuf: the final consonant is pronounced: [sɛ̃k], [ɥit], [nœf].
six, dix: on their own the x sounds like s, before a vowel like z (six ans). Before a noun that starts with a consonant it is silent (six minutes). In dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf you always hear it.
vingt, cent: on their own they are silent: [vɛ̃], [sɑ̃]. In 21-29 you do hear the t of vingt: vingt-deux.
six ans
[si·zɑ̃]
six years
six minutes
[si·minyt]
six minutes
vingt minutes
[vɛ̃·minyt]
twenty minutes
vingt-deux
[vɛ̃t·dø]
22
In everyday sentences
J'ai vingt-cinq ans.
I am 25 years old.
Ça coûte trente-deux euros.
It costs 32 euros.
Ma grand-mère a quatre-vingt-douze ans.
My grandmother is 92 years old.
J'ai cent euros.
I have 100 euros.
