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French Numbers: How to Count From 1-100 with Tips and Facts

Arti Goyal 2 min read
French Numbers featured image

Learning how to count in French is essential for mastering the language. Counting is crucial for everyday tasks like shopping, travel, and business. This article will guide you from basic to advanced numbers, offer pronunciation tips, and show common uses. Did you know French numbers influence English terms like “dozen” from “douzaine”? Let’s dive in!

numbers in french from 1 to 50

To learn French names and pronunciation for numbers from 1-100 keep reading!

French Numbers 1-20

Let’s start with the basics: the first twenty numbers in French. Knowing these will help you in many everyday situations, such as telling time, shopping, and giving directions. 

Below is a table showing the numbers, their French names, and pronunciation.

NumberFrench NamePronunciation
1unuhn
2deuxduh
3troistwah
4quatrekat-ruh
5cinqsank
6sixseess
7septset
8huitweet
9neufnuhf
10dixdeess
11onzeonz
12douzedooz
13treizetrez
14quatorzeka-torz
15quinzekanz
16seizesez
17dix-septdeess-set
18dix-huitdeess-weet
19dix-neufdeess-nuhf
20vingtvan

French Numbers 20-40

Continuing from where we left off, here are the numbers from 20 to 40. These numbers are useful for more complex counting, telling the time, and handling money.

NumberFrench NamePronunciation
21vingt et unvan-tay-uhn
22vingt-deuxvan-duh
23vingt-troisvan-twah
24vingt-quatrevan-kat-ruh
25vingt-cinqvan-sank
26vingt-sixvan-seess
27vingt-septvan-set
28vingt-huitvan-weet
29vingt-neufvan-nuhf
30trentetront
31trente et untront-tay-uhn
32trente-deuxtront-duh
33trente-troistront-twah
34trente-quatretront-kat-ruh
35trente-cinqtront-sank
36trente-sixtront-seess
37trente-septtront-set
38trente-huittront-weet
39trente-neuftront-nuhf
40quaranteka-ront

French Numbers 40-60

Now, let’s look at the numbers from 40 to 60. These numbers will further enhance your ability to handle various everyday tasks in French.

NumberFrench NamePronunciation
41quarante et unka-ront-tay-uhn
42quarante-deuxka-ront-duh
43quarante-troiska-ront-twah
44quarante-quatreka-ront-kat-ruh
45quarante-cinqka-ront-sank
46quarante-sixka-ront-seess
47quarante-septka-ront-set
48quarante-huitka-ront-weet
49quarante-neufka-ront-nuhf
50cinquantesank-ont
51cinquante et unsank-ont-tay-uhn
52cinquante-deuxsank-ont-duh
53cinquante-troissank-ont-twah
54cinquante-quatresank-ont-kat-ruh
55cinquante-cinqsank-ont-sank
56cinquante-sixsank-ont-seess
57cinquante-septsank-ont-set
58cinquante-huitsank-ont-weet
59cinquante-neufsank-ont-nuhf
60soixanteswa-sont

Unique Characteristics

Quarante (40): Forms the base for numbers 41-49.

Cinquante (50): Begins a new decade and is the base for numbers 51-59.

Soixante (60): Marks the start of the sixties.

French Numbers 60-80

Let’s continue with the numbers from 60 to 80. These numbers follow a similar pattern to the previous sets, making them easier to learn once you are familiar with the basics.

NumberFrench NamePronunciation
61soixante et unswa-sont-tay-uhn
62soixante-deuxswa-sont-duh
63soixante-troisswa-sont-twah
64soixante-quatreswa-sont-kat-ruh
65soixante-cinqswa-sont-sank
66soixante-sixswa-sont-seess
67soixante-septswa-sont-set
68soixante-huitswa-sont-weet
69soixante-neufswa-sont-nuhf
70soixante-dixswa-sont-deess
71soixante et onzeswa-sont-tay-onz
72soixante-douzeswa-sont-dooz
73soixante-treizeswa-sont-trez
74soixante-quatorzeswa-sont-ka-torz
75soixante-quinzeswa-sont-kanz
76soixante-seizeswa-sont-sez
77soixante-dix-septswa-sont-deess-set
78soixante-dix-huitswa-sont-deess-weet
79soixante-dix-neufswa-sont-deess-nuhf
80quatre-vingtskat-ruh-van

Unchanged Pattern

Soixante (60): Forms the base for numbers 61-69.

Soixante-dix (70): Literally translates to “sixty-ten,” starting the seventies.

Quatre-vingts (80): Literally means “four twenties,” a unique way of forming the number 80 in French.

French Numbers 80-100

Let’s complete the basic set of French numbers by looking at the numbers from 80 to 100. These numbers continue the patterns we’ve seen, with some unique characteristics for numbers 80 and beyond.

NumberFrench NamePronunciation
80quatre-vingtskat-ruh-van
81quatre-vingt-unkat-ruh-van-tay-uhn
82quatre-vingt-deuxkat-ruh-van-duh
83quatre-vingt-troiskat-ruh-van-twah
84quatre-vingt-quatrekat-ruh-van-kat-ruh
85quatre-vingt-cinqkat-ruh-van-sank
86quatre-vingt-sixkat-ruh-van-seess
87quatre-vingt-septkat-ruh-van-set
88quatre-vingt-huitkat-ruh-van-weet
89quatre-vingt-neufkat-ruh-van-nuhf
90quatre-vingt-dixkat-ruh-van-deess
91quatre-vingt-onzekat-ruh-van-onz
92quatre-vingt-douzekat-ruh-van-dooz
93quatre-vingt-treizekat-ruh-van-trez
94quatre-vingt-quatorzekat-ruh-van-ka-torz
95quatre-vingt-quinzekat-ruh-van-kanz
96quatre-vingt-seizekat-ruh-van-sez
97quatre-vingt-dix-septkat-ruh-van-deess-set
98quatre-vingt-dix-huitkat-ruh-van-deess-weet
99quatre-vingt-dix-neufkat-ruh-van-deess-nuhf
100centsahn

Unchanged Pattern

Quatre-vingts (80): Continues as the base for numbers 81-89, literally meaning “four twenties.”

Quatre-vingt-dix (90): Translates to “four twenties and ten,” forming the base for numbers 91-99.

Cent (100): Marks the beginning of the hundreds.

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French Numbers 100 and Above

Once you reach 100 in French, the patterns change slightly, but they remain logical and manageable. Let’s explore how to form numbers from 100 and beyond, highlighting any new patterns or rules.

Key Numbers and Patterns

100 (cent): The number 100 is “cent” in French. It is used as the base for numbers beyond 100.

Example: 101 is “cent un” (sahn uhn).

101-199: You simply add the number after 100.

Example: 110 is “cent dix” (sahn deess).

Example: 125 is “cent vingt-cinq” (sahn van-sank).

200 (deux cents): For multiples of 100, add the number of hundreds before “cent” and make “cent” plural by adding an “s” if not followed by another number.

Example: 200 is “deux cents” (duh sahn).

Example: 202 is “deux cent deux” (duh sahn duh).

1000 (mille): The number 1000 is “mille” in French. It does not change in the plural form.

Example: 1000 is “mille” (meel).

Example: 1500 is “mille cinq cents” (meel sank sahn).

Million (un million): For a million, use “un million.”

Example: 1,000,000 is “un million” (uhn mee-yon).

Billion (un milliard): For a billion, use “un milliard.”

Example: 1,000,000,000 is “un milliard” (uhn mee-lyar).

Extra Vocabulary for Bigger Numbers

  • Thousand: Mille (meel)
  • Million: Un million (uhn mee-yon)
  • Billion: Un milliard (uhn mee-lyar)
  • Trillion: Un billion (uhn bee-lyon)

French Numbers in Different Dialects

French numbers can vary slightly across different French-speaking regions, such as France, Switzerland, and Belgium. These variations can be important to know, especially if you are travelling or conducting business in these regions.

Key Differences

In Switzerland and Belgium, the numbers 70, 80, and 90 differ from those used in France. This table compares the French numbers for these regions.

NumberFranceSwiss FrenchBelgian French
60soixantesoixantesoixante
70soixante-dixseptanteseptante
71soixante et onzeseptante et unseptante et un
72soixante-douzeseptante-deuxseptante-deux
73soixante-treizeseptante-troisseptante-trois
74soixante-quatorzeseptante-quatreseptante-quatre
75soixante-quinzeseptante-cinqseptante-cinq
76soixante-seizeseptante-sixseptante-six
77soixante-dix-septseptante-septseptante-sept
78soixante-dix-huitseptante-huitseptante-huit
79soixante-dix-neufseptante-neufseptante-neuf
80quatre-vingtshuitanteoctante / huitante
81quatre-vingt-unhuitante et unoctante et un / huitante et un
82quatre-vingt-deuxhuitante-deuxoctante-deux / huitante-deux
83quatre-vingt-troishuitante-troisoctante-trois / huitante-trois
84quatre-vingt-quatrehuitante-quatreoctante-quatre / huitante-quatre
85quatre-vingt-cinqhuitante-cinqoctante-cinq / huitante-cinq
86quatre-vingt-sixhuitante-sixoctante-six / huitante-six
87quatre-vingt-septhuitante-septoctante-sept / huitante-sept
88quatre-vingt-huithuitante-huitoctante-huit / huitante-huit
89quatre-vingt-neufhuitante-neufoctante-neuf / huitante-neuf
90quatre-vingt-dixnonantenonante
91quatre-vingt-onzenonante et unnonante et un
92quatre-vingt-douzenonante-deuxnonante-deux
93quatre-vingt-treizenonante-troisnonante-trois
94quatre-vingt-quatorzenonante-quatrenonante-quatre
95quatre-vingt-quinzenonante-cinqnonante-cinq
96quatre-vingt-seizenonante-sixnonante-six
97quatre-vingt-dix-septnonante-septnonante-sept
98quatre-vingt-dix-huitnonante-huitnonante-huit
99quatre-vingt-dix-neufnonante-neufnonante-neuf

Notable Differences and Practical Implications

  1. Septante (70): Used in Swiss and Belgian French instead of “soixante-dix.”
  2. Huitante/Octante (80): “Huitante” is more common in Switzerland, while “octante” is sometimes used in Belgium, though “huitante” can also be heard.
  3. Nonante (90): Used in both Swiss and Belgian French instead of “quatre-vingt-dix.”

Practical Implications

  • Travel: Knowing these variations helps in understanding and communicating numbers correctly when traveling in these regions.
  • Business: Correct usage of regional numbers ensures clear communication and avoids misunderstandings in transactions and negotiations.
  • Education: Teaching French learners the regional variations can enhance their comprehension and versatility in using the language.

Conclusion

Mastering French numbers is essential for everyday communication, whether in France, Switzerland, or Belgium. While variations exist, practicing these numbers in context—such as shopping or telling time—solidifies understanding and fluency. Consistent practice ensures confidence and accuracy in using French numerals, enriching your language skills and cultural awareness.

If you’re eager to learn and practise French check our article on Ideas for Daily French Practice. And to get personalised coaching from experienced tutors check our courses at La Forêt French Class

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How to count from 1 to 10 in French?

Ans: Start by learning the basics: “un” (1), “deux” (2), “trois” (3), “quatre” (4), “cinq” (5), “six” (6), “sept” (7), “huit” (8), “neuf” (9), and “dix” (10). 

Q: Is there a French word for 70?

Ans: Yes, in France, the word for 70 is “soixante-dix.” However, in Switzerland and Belgium, the term “septante” is used instead. Explore these variations and more with La Forêt’s cultural insights and language resources.

Arti Goyal

Arti is a passionate French trainer with extensive experience in guiding students through DELF, TEF, and TCF exam preparation. Known for her engaging teaching methods, she combines a deep knowledge of the French language with an ability to make learning both effective and enjoyable. Arti focuses on practical communication skills, ensuring that her students not only succeed in their exams but also feel confident using French in everyday situations. Committed to her students’ growth, she fosters a learning environment where French becomes more than just a subject—it’s an enriching and lasting experience.

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