How Do You Write Numbers In French

Mastering French Numerals: A Comprehensive Guide

Writing numbers in French can seem daunting at first, with its seemingly inconsistent rules and variations. However, once you grasp the fundamental patterns and exceptions, you’ll find it's a manageable and even enjoyable skill to master. This comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge to confidently write numbers in French, from the simplest digits to complex figures. We'll cover everything from basic numerals to larger numbers, ordinals, fractions, decimals, and even dates and times – making you a true number whiz in French!

Introduction: Understanding the Building Blocks

The French number system, like many others, builds upon a base of individual numbers. Learning these foundational numbers is crucial before tackling more complex structures.

Here are the numbers 0-10:

0: zéro
1: un
2: deux
3: trois
4: quatre
5: cinq
6: six
7: sept
8: huit
9: neuf
10: dix

Notice that "un" (one) and "onze" (eleven) change slightly depending on their position in a sentence. We will detail these nuances later.

Numbers 11-69: The Teens and Tens

The numbers from 11 to 16 follow a fairly predictable pattern:

11: onze
12: douze
13: treize
14: quatorze
15: quinze
16: seize

Note the irregularity here; these numbers don't directly follow the simple addition of "dix" (ten) + the unit.

From 17 to 69, the structure is "dix-" + the unit:

17: dix-sept (ten-seven)
18: dix-huit (ten-eight)
19: dix-neuf (ten-nine)
20: vingt
30: trente
40: quarante
50: cinquante
60: soixante

Numbers between 20 and 69 follow the pattern "vingt-" (twenty) or "trente-" (thirty), etc., plus the unit:

21: vingt et un (twenty and one)
22: vingt-deux (twenty-two)
35: trente-cinq (thirty-five)
69: soixante-neuf (sixty-nine)

Note the use of "et" (and) between the tens and units for numbers between 21 and 69 (except multiples of 10).

Numbers 70-99: A Slight Twist

The pattern changes slightly from 70 onwards. 70 is "soixante-dix" (sixty-ten), and the numbers following use a similar structure until 79. For 80 and 90, the pattern shifts again:

70: soixante-dix
71: soixante et onze
72: soixante-douze
79: soixante-dix-neuf
80: quatre-vingts (four twenties)
81: quatre-vingt-un (four twenties and one)
82: quatre-vingt-deux (four twenties and two)
90: quatre-vingt-dix (four twenties and ten)
91: quatre-vingt-onze (four twenties and eleven)
99: quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (four twenties and nineteen)

This structure, based on multiples of twenty, can seem unusual at first, but with practice, it becomes second nature.

Hundreds, Thousands, and Beyond: Scaling Up

For hundreds, the structure is relatively straightforward:

100: cent
200: deux cents
300: trois cents
...and so on.

However, note the slight irregularity for 100 and numbers involving 100. If a number is followed by another number, "cent" takes a hyphen: 101 is "cent un," but 111 is "cent onze." This also applies to multiples of 100.

Thousands use "mille" (thousand):

1000: mille
2000: deux mille
10000: dix mille
100000: cent mille
1000000: un million

For numbers beyond a million, the system continues with "un milliard" (one billion), "un billion" (one trillion), etc. These higher numbers use the same logic, combining the base numbers with the appropriate prefixes.

Ordinal Numbers: First, Second, Third...

Ordinal numbers indicate position or order (first, second, third, etc.). In French, they are formed by adding suffixes to the cardinal numbers:

1st: premier(e) (masculine/feminine)
2nd: deuxième
3rd: troisième
4th: quatrième
5th: cinquième
6th: sixième
7th: septième
8th: huitième
9th: neuvième
10th: dixième

For numbers beyond 10, the suffix "-ième" is added: 21st is "vingt et unième," 30th is "trentième," and so on. Remember to agree gender with nouns (masculine/feminine).

Fractions and Decimals: Representing Parts

Fractions are generally written using the same words as cardinal numbers, separated by the word "sur" (over):

1/2: un demi / une demie (masculine/feminine)
1/3: un tiers / une tierce (masculine/feminine)
1/4: un quart
2/3: deux tiers
3/4: trois quarts

Decimals use a comma instead of a period as a decimal separator:

2.5: 2,5 (deux virgule cinq)
10.75: 10,75 (dix virgule soixante-quinze)

Dates and Times: Practical Applications

Dates are written with the day before the month:

January 1st, 2024: 1er janvier 2024
March 15th, 2024: 15 mars 2024

Time is expressed using "heure" (hour), "minute" (minute), and "seconde" (second):

2:30 PM: 14h30 (quatorze heures trente)
8:15 AM: 8h15 (huit heures quinze)

Common Mistakes and Nuances

Gender Agreement: Remember that many French number words, like "un," "premier," and ordinal numbers, agree in gender with the noun they modify.
Hyphenation: Pay attention to hyphenation rules, particularly in numbers combining tens and units. Incorrect hyphenation can significantly alter the meaning.
"Et" vs. No "Et": Remember the use of "et" (and) between tens and units for numbers between 21 and 69 (excluding multiples of ten), but not for others.
Irregularities: The irregularities in the teens and the unique structure of numbers from 70-99 require memorization and practice.

Conclusion: Practice Makes Perfect

Mastering French numerals takes time and effort. This guide has provided a comprehensive framework, but consistent practice is key. Try writing out numbers in French, starting with simple exercises and gradually progressing to more complex figures. You can use flashcards, online quizzes, and real-life scenarios to reinforce your learning. Don't be discouraged by the occasional irregularity; with diligent practice, you'll be confidently using French numbers in no time. Bon courage! (Good luck!)