French Numbers
Learning the French Numbers is very important because its structure is used in every day conversation. The more you master it the more you get closer to mastering the French language. But first we need to know what the role of Numbers is in the structure of the grammar in French.
French cardinal number convey the "how many" they're also known as "counting numbers," because they show quantity.
Grammar Tips:
In French numbers from 1 to 20 are
unique (as well as 30, 40, etc.) and therefore need to be memorized
individually. Numbers from 21 and upwards are formed by using the following
pattern: for example 21 can be formed by using 20 + 1 while connecting them. 22
= vingt-deux. 45 can be formed by using 40 + 5 while connecting
them: 45 = Quarante cinq
Here are some examples:
| English Numbers | French Numbers |
| numbers | numéros |
| one | un |
| two | deux |
| three | trois |
| four | quatre |
| five | cinq |
| six | six |
| seven | sept |
| eight | huit |
| nine | neuf |
| ten | dix |
| eleven | onze |
| twelve | douze |
| thirteen | treize |
| fourteen | quatorze |
| fifteen | quinze |
| sixteen | seize |
| seventeen | dix-sept |
| eighteen | dix-huit |
| nineteen | dix-neuf |
| twenty | vingt |
| hundred | cent |
| one thousand | mille |
| million | million |
As you can see from the example above, the structure of the Numbers in French has a logical pattern. Locate the Numbers above and see how it works with the rest of the sentence in French.
List of Ordinal Numbers in French
French Ordinal numbers tell the order of things in a set: first, second, third, etc. Ordinal numbers do not show quantity. They only show rank or position. Below is a list of the Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers in French. Memorizing this table will help you add very useful and important words to your French vocabulary.
| English Numbers | French Numbers |
| Ordinal Numbers | |
| first | première |
| second | deuxième |
| third | troisième |
| fourth | quatrième |
| fifth | cinquième |
| sixth | sixième |
| seventh | septième |
| eighth | huitième |
| ninth | neuvième |
| tenth | dixième |
| eleventh | onzième |
| twelfth | douzième |
| thirteenth | treizième |
| fourteenth | quatorzième |
| fifteenth | quinzième |
| sixteenth | seizième |
| seventeenth | dix-septième |
| eighteenth | dix-huitième |
| nineteenth | dix-neuvième |
| twentieth | vingtième |
| |
| once | une fois |
| twice | deux fois |
Cardinal Numbers and Ordinal Numbers have a very important role in French, therefore they need very special attention. Once you're done with French Numbers, you might want to check the rest of our French lessons here: Learn French. Don't forget to bookmark this page.