Numbers are an essential part of any language, and mastering French numbers is crucial for effective communication. In this blog, we will explore how to count, and express time, dates, currency, and prices in French. With practical scenarios and examples, you will gain confidence in using French numbers fluently.
1. Counting in French
Counting in French is a fascinating aspect of the language, with unique hand gestures that accompany the numbers. Let’s explore how French people count, both in reverse and ascending order, along with the number names, pronunciations, cardinal, and ordinal forms.
Counting in Reverse – From Thumb to Little Finger:
French people have a unique way of counting from their thumb to their little finger, associating each finger with a specific number.
1. Pouce (Thumb) – Un (One)
2. Index (Index Finger) – Deux (Two)
3. Majeur (Middle Finger) – Trois (Three)
4. Annulaire (Ring Finger) – Quatre (Four)
5. Auriculaire (Little Finger) – Cinq (Five)
Cardinal Numbers:
0 – Zéro
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
21 – Vingt et un
22 – Vingt-deux
… [Continue with numbers 23 to 99 in the same way]
Note: After 69 (Soixante-neuf), French numbers follow a pattern where the tens place is said first, then the ones place, separated by “et” (and). For example, 70 is “Soixante-dix” (sixty-ten), 80 is “Quatre-vingts” (four-twenties), and 90 is “Quatre-vingt-dix” (four-twenties-ten).
100 to 1000:
100 – Cent
200 – Deux cents
300 – Trois cents
400 – Quatre cents
500 – Cinq cents
600 – Six cents
700 – Sept cents
800 – Huit cents
900 – Neuf cents
1000 – Mille
10000, 100000, and 1000000:
10,000 – Dix mille
100,000 – Cent mille
1,000,000 – Un million
3. Ordinal Numbers:
1st – Premier (Première, if feminine)
2nd – Deuxième
3rd – Troisième
4th – Quatrième
5th – Cinquième
6th – Sixième
7th – Septième
8th – Huitième
9th – Neuvième
10th – Dixième
… [Continue with other ordinal numbers]
Now that you’ve grasped the essence of counting in French, immerse yourself in practising these numbers, both in reverse and ascending order.
2. Telephone Numbers and Dates
French phone numbers are usually read in pairs of two digits. Let’s take an example: 06 12 34 56 78.
To read it out loud, we say “zéro six” for 06, “douze” for 12, “trente-quatre” for 34, “cinquante-six” for 56, and “soixante-dix-huit” for 78. Note that “soixante-dix” means seventy, and the number continues from there.
When asking for someone’s phone number, you can say: “Quel est ton numéro de téléphone?” (What is your phone number?)
Dates in French:
When expressing dates in French, we use the day followed by the month. For example, the 25th of July would be “le vingt-cinq juillet.”
To talk about the day of the week, we use the word “le” followed by the day. For instance, “le lundi” means Monday, “le mardi” means Tuesday, and so on.
Conversation Practice:
Customer: Bonjour! Je voudrais prendre rendez-vous pour le 15 août. (Hello! I would like to make an appointment for the 15th of August.)
Shopkeeper: Bien sûr! À quelle heure voulez-vous venir? (Of course! What time would you like to come?)
Customer: Vers 10 heures du matin, s’il vous plaît. (Around 10 o’clock in the morning, please.)
Shopkeeper: C’est noté. Nous vous attendons le 15 août à 10 heures. (Noted. We’ll see you on the 15th of August at 10 o’clock.)
Customer: Parfait! Merci beaucoup! Au revoir! (Perfect! Thank you very much! Goodbye!)
Practical Vocabulary:
Numbers in French:
1 – un
2 – deux
3 – trois
4 – quatre
5 – cinq
6 – six
7 – sept
8 – huit
9 – neuf
10 – dix
Days of the Week:
Monday – le lundi
Tuesday – le mardi
Wednesday – le mercredi
Thursday – le jeudi
Friday – le vendredi
Saturday – le samedi
Sunday – le dimanche
Months:
January – janvier
February – février
March – mars
April – avril
May – mai
June – juin
July – juillet
August – août
September – septembre
October – octobre
November – novembre
December – décembre
Use these expressions in your everyday conversations to become more confident in discussing dates, scheduling appointments, and making phone calls in French.
3. Handling Currency (Money)
Understanding prices and handling currency is essential for everyday transactions. Let’s dive into the language of prices and how to confidently deal with currency in French.
French Currency Symbols and Vocabulary:
In France, the currency used is the Euro (€). Here are some common price-related vocabulary words:
Price – le prix
Euro – l’euro
Cent – le centime
Expensive – cher/chère
Cheap – bon marché
Discount – la réduction
Sale – les soldes
Asking for the Price:
When you want to inquire about the cost of an item, you can use the following phrases:
“Combien ça coûte?” (How much does it cost?)
“Quel est le prix de ceci?” (What is the price of this?)
“C’est combien?” (How much is it?)
Telling the Price:
To tell the price of an item, you can simply say the number followed by “euros” and “centimes” if necessary. For example:
“C’est trois euros.” (It’s three euros.)
“Ça coûte cinquante euros.” (It costs fifty euros.)
“Cela fait vingt-cinq euros et cinquante centimes.” (That’s twenty-five euros and fifty cents.)
Negotiating in French:
Haggling or negotiating prices is common in certain situations, like at a flea market or with street vendors. Use these phrases to negotiate:
“Est-ce que vous pouvez faire un prix?” (Can you give me a discount?)
“Je peux vous en offrir [lower price] euros.” (I can offer you [lower price] euros.)
“C’est un peu cher, non?” (It’s a bit expensive, isn’t it?)
Real-Life Scenarios:
Let’s practise some real-life scenarios:
Scenario 1 – Shopping:
Customer: Bonjour! Combien coûte cette chemise? (Hello! How much does this shirt cost?)
Shopkeeper: Cette chemise est vingt euros. (This shirt is twenty euros.)
Customer: Je peux l’avoir pour quinze euros? (Can I have it for fifteen euros?)
Shopkeeper: D’accord, je vous la fais à quinze euros. (Alright, I’ll give it to you for fifteen euros.)
Scenario 2 – Ordering at a Restaurant:
Customer: Bonsoir! Quel est le prix du plat du jour? (Good evening! What is the price of the daily special?)
Waiter: Le plat du jour est dix euros. (The daily special is ten euros.)
Customer: Parfait, je prends le plat du jour. (Perfect, I’ll have the daily special.)
Handling currency and prices in French will make your shopping experiences and restaurant visits much smoother.
4. Telling Time and Hours
Telling Time and Hours in French:
Understanding how to tell time is essential for daily conversations and scheduling in French. Let’s explore the phrases and expressions to master the art of telling time.
Telling Time on Digital and Analog Clocks:
In French, we use both digital and analog clocks to express time. Here are some essential time-related vocabulary words:
Time – l’heure
Hour – l’heure
Minute – la minute
Second – la seconde
Clock – l’horloge
Watch – la montre
Telling Time in French:
To tell time in French, we use the 24-hour clock system. Here are some examples of how to express time:
1:00 AM – une heure du matin
3:30 AM – trois heures trente du matin
12:00 PM (noon) – midi
6:15 PM – six heures et quart du soir
9:45 PM – neuf heures moins le quart du soir
Asking for the Time:
When you want to know the time, use these phrases:
“Quelle heure est-il?” (What time is it?)
“Il est quelle heure?” (What time is it?)
Responding to Time-Related Questions:
To respond to time-related questions, use these phrases:
“Il est [time]” (It is [time]).
“Il est [time] du matin/du soir.” (It is [time] in the morning/evening).
Expressing Daily Routines and Time-Based Activities:
Use these phrases to talk about your daily routine or time-based activities:
“Je me réveille à six heures.” (I wake up at six o’clock.)
“Nous déjeunons à midi.” (We have lunch at noon.)
“Elle part à dix-neuf heures.” (She leaves at seven o’clock in the evening.)
Practice Conversation:
Let’s practise a conversation about telling time:
Scenario: At a Train Station
Person 1: Excusez-moi, quelle heure est-il? (Excuse me, what time is it?)
Person 2: Il est trois heures et demie. (It’s three-thirty.)
Person 1: Merci! Le train arrive à quelle heure? (Thank you! What time does the train arrive?)
Person 2: Le train arrive à quatre heures moins dix. (The train arrives at ten minutes to four.)
Telling time in French becomes second nature with practice.
5. Putting It All Together: Test Your Skills
Now that you’ve learned the fundamentals of French numbers, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Engage in a comprehensive assessment covering counting, telling time, handling currency, and expressing dates.
Click here to download the number mastery pack for free.
Elevate Your Language Skills
Congratulations on mastering French numbers! By understanding these essential elements, you’re well-equipped to communicate fluently in various situations. Keep practising and exploring the beauty of the French language.
