Master the French Numbers: From Zero to a Million

Hello! In this article, we are going to learn numbers in French, from zéro to un million. This topic is perfect for beginners, and important for laying robust foundations as we use numbers every day, for time, shopping, or counting. The French language has a lot of exceptions, and we will also see several rules to respect for the most curious among you.

The First Steps: Numbers from 1 to 20

Let's begin our learning journey by exploring the numbers from one to twenty. You will use them frequently, and once well learned, they will serve as a basis for learning larger numbers.

zéro	zero
un	one
deux	two
trois	three
quatre	four
cinq	five
six	six
sept	seven
huit	eight
neuf	nine
dix	ten
onze	eleven
douze	twelve
treize	thirteen
quatorze	fourteen
quinze	fifteen
seize	sixteen
dix-sept	seventeen
dix-huit	eighteen
dix-neuf	nineteen

Explore Further: Numbers up to Millions

After mastering numbers up to 20, we will now delve into tens (dizaines), hundreds (centaines), thousands (milliers), and even millions. Learning large numbers will be very easy if you master the smaller ones.

vingt	twenty
trente	thirty
quarante	forty
cinquante	fifty
soixante	sixty
soixante-dix	seventy
quatre-vingts	eighty
quatre-vingt-dix	ninety
cent	hundred
mille	thousand
un million	one million

Special Rules of Numbers in French

Now, let's discover some special rules for numbers in French. Don't worry, it's easy to understand!

Use of Hyphens

In a number, all elements are linked by a hyphen (trait d'union).

Very simple, isn't it? However, it's something to bear in mind.

This is a simplified rule, in the past the hyphen was only placed between tens and units. This rule is still valid.

The Plural of Words

"Mille"is invariable, it never changes.
The words "vingt" and "cent" have a special rule. When they are multiplied and there is no other number after, we add an "s".
"Million" or "milliard" receive an "s" in the plural.

Not easy to keep track of, is it? Let's look at a few examples.

When to Use "and"

In numbers such as "vingt-et-un", we use "et" before the last digit. But be careful, we do not use it all the time, only with 1.

Conclusion and Next Steps

We've journeyed together through French numbers, from the basics to special rules. Now, you have a solid understanding of numbers, from one up to millions, and tips for using them correctly. Congratulations on your progress!

Want to continue learning and practicing? Check out our video courses on Udemy. They're perfect for starting French or enhancing your skills.

Start French Now

Why not continue your learning with another article? After numbers, you might be interested in days of the week, that's also an important topic.

Read more

Good luck, and enjoy your French learning!