The Basics: Counting from 1 to 20 in French
To begin, it’s important to master the numbers from 1 to 20, as these form the building blocks for counting higher in French. Here’s a list of numbers along with their pronunciations:
- 1 – un [uhn]
- 2 – deux [duh]
- 3 – trois [trwah]
- 4 – quatre [katr]
- 5 – cinq [sank]
- 6 – six [sees]
- 7 – sept [set]
- 8 – huit [weet]
- 9 – neuf [nurf]
- 10 – dix [dees]
- 11 – onze [onz]
- 12 – douze [dooz]
- 13 – treize [trez]
- 14 – quatorze [ka-torz]
- 15 – quinze [kanz]
- 16 – seize [sez]
- 17 – dix-sept [dees-set]
- 18 – dix-huit [dees-weet]
- 19 – dix-neuf [dees-nurf]
- 20 – vingt [van]
Counting by Tens: 20 to 100 in French
After 20, French numbers follow a pattern similar to English, but with some unique twists. Here are the multiples of ten up to 100:
- 20 – vingt
- 30 – trente
- 40 – quarante
- 50 – cinquante
- 60 – soixante
- 70 – soixante-dix
- 80 – quatre-vingts
- 90 – quatre-vingt-dix
- 100 – cent
Notice that after 60, French uses combinations rather than new words for 70, 80, and 90. For example, 70 is “soixante-dix” (sixty-ten), 80 is “quatre-vingts” (four twenties), and 90 is “quatre-vingt-dix” (four twenties ten).
How to Form Numbers Between the Multiples of Ten
21 to 69
For numbers between the tens, you simply add the unit number after the tens word, separated by a hyphen. For example:
- 21 – vingt et un
- 32 – trente-deux
- 47 – quarante-sept
- 59 – cinquante-neuf
- 66 – soixante-six
Note that the word “et” (and) is only used for numbers ending in one, like 21, 31, 41, etc. (vingt et un, trente et un).
70 to 99
This is where French gets a bit more complex. Instead of having unique words for 70, 80, and 90, French combines earlier numbers:
- 70 – soixante-dix (60 + 10)
- 71 – soixante et onze (60 + 11)
- 72 – soixante-douze (60 + 12)
- 80 – quatre-vingts (4 x 20)
- 81 – quatre-vingt-un
- 90 – quatre-vingt-dix (4 x 20 + 10)
- 91 – quatre-vingt-onze (4 x 20 + 11)
From 70 to 79, you add the numbers 10-19 to 60. From 80 to 99, you use “quatre-vingts” (80) and continue adding the numbers 1-19 to count up to 99.
Pronunciation Tips for French Numbers
French pronunciation can be tricky, especially with numbers. Here are some tips:
- Pay attention to nasal sounds in numbers like un, cinq, and vingt.
- The final “t” in “vingt” is only pronounced in some contexts (e.g., vingt et un).
- Practice listening to native speakers or use language learning tools like Talkpal for pronunciation practice.
Practical Ways to Practice Counting in French
- Practice counting objects around you, such as books, steps, or pieces of fruit.
- Challenge yourself to count backwards from 100 to 1.
- Use language learning apps like Talkpal to reinforce your skills and practice with AI-powered conversations.
- Play games or quizzes to test your number knowledge in French.
French Numbers Chart: 1 to 100
Here’s a quick overview of key numbers in French to help you memorize them faster:
- 1 – un, 10 – dix, 20 – vingt, 30 – trente, 40 – quarante, 50 – cinquante, 60 – soixante
- 70 – soixante-dix, 80 – quatre-vingts, 90 – quatre-vingt-dix, 100 – cent
- Fill in the numbers in between by following the patterns explained above!
Conclusion: Mastering French Numbers with Talkpal
Counting to 100 in French may seem challenging at first, but with regular practice and a clear understanding of the patterns, you’ll soon be able to do it confidently. Remember, learning numbers is just the start of your French language adventure. Continue practicing every day, use interactive tools like Talkpal, and soon you’ll be speaking French like a pro!
