French Numbers: The Foundation for Counting Money
Before you can count money in French, you need to be comfortable with French numbers. Here’s a quick refresher on the basics:
Numbers 1 to 20
1 – un
2 – deux
3 – trois
4 – quatre
5 – cinq
6 – six
7 – sept
8 – huit
9 – neuf
10 – dix
11 – onze
12 – douze
13 – treize
14 – quatorze
15 – quinze
16 – seize
17 – dix-sept
18 – dix-huit
19 – dix-neuf
20 – vingt
Counting by Tens
20 – vingt
30 – trente
40 – quarante
50 – cinquante
60 – soixante
70 – soixante-dix
80 – quatre-vingts
90 – quatre-vingt-dix
100 – cent
Key Notes
French numbers can be tricky, especially after 69. For instance, 70 is “soixante-dix” (sixty-ten), and 80 is “quatre-vingts” (four twenties). Practice these to avoid confusion when counting larger amounts of money.
French Currency Vocabulary
France and many other French-speaking countries use the euro. Here are the key words you need to know:
- Euro – euro (pronounced: “uh-roh”)
- Cent – centime (pronounced: “son-teem”)
- Billet – banknote or bill
- Pièce – coin
Example: 5 euros 20 centimes (five euros and twenty cents)
How to Say Amounts of Money in French
Here’s how you put numbers and currency together:
Whole Euros
2 euros – deux euros
10 euros – dix euros
50 euros – cinquante euros
Euros and Cents
2 euros 50 (2,50€) – deux euros cinquante
7 euros 99 (7,99€) – sept euros quatre-vingt-dix-neuf
15 euros 20 (15,20€) – quinze euros vingt
Unlike in English, French often leaves out “et” (and) between euros and cents. You simply list the euro amount followed by the cent amount.
Dealing with Coins and Bills
It’s helpful to know the denominations:
- Coins: 1 centime, 2 centimes, 5 centimes, 10 centimes, 20 centimes, 50 centimes, 1 euro, 2 euros
- Bills: 5 euros, 10 euros, 20 euros, 50 euros, 100 euros, 200 euros, 500 euros
Example: “J’ai une pièce de deux euros et un billet de vingt euros.” (I have a two-euro coin and a twenty-euro bill.)
Useful Phrases for Handling Money in French
- Combien ça coûte ? – How much does it cost?
- C’est combien ? – How much is it?
- Avez-vous la monnaie ? – Do you have change?
- Pouvez-vous me rendre la monnaie ? – Can you give me change?
- Je voudrais payer en espèces. – I’d like to pay in cash.
- Acceptez-vous la carte ? – Do you accept cards?
Tips for Counting Money in Real-Life Situations
- Practice listening to prices in French with audio resources or language learning tools like Talkpal to get used to the way numbers are pronounced.
- When in doubt, ask the cashier to write down the amount or show you on the register.
- Familiarize yourself with the look of euro bills and coins to avoid confusion.
- Use repetition and flashcards to master tricky numbers, especially those above 60.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Mixing up cents and euros. Remember, “centime” is for coins less than one euro.
- Forgetting the plural for euros and centimes: “deux euros” (not “deux euro”).
- Mispronouncing numbers, especially 70-99, which follow unique patterns in French.
Practice Makes Perfect
Counting money in French is a skill that improves with practice. Try simulating shopping scenarios, listening to French conversations about prices, and using language learning platforms like Talkpal to reinforce your skills. The more you use these expressions and numbers, the more natural they will become.
Conclusion
Whether you’re traveling, shopping, or just practicing your French, knowing how to count money is a vital part of becoming fluent. By mastering French numbers and common currency vocabulary, you’ll be ready to handle any financial transaction with confidence. Keep practicing with real-life scenarios and interactive tools, and you’ll soon find counting money in French as easy as un, deux, trois!
