French Number Pronunciation: A Comprehensive Guide318

Introduction

The French language, known for its intricate grammar and melodic accents, also possesses a unique system of number pronunciation. Understanding the correct pronunciation of numbers in French is essential for effective communication and avoiding misunderstandings. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of French number pronunciation, covering both cardinal and ordinal numbers.

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers represent the basic counting numbers: one, two, three, etc. In French, the pronunciation of cardinal numbers varies depending on their magnitude.

0-19:

0: zéro
1: un, une
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
li>19: dix-neuf

20-99:

20: vingt
30: trente
40: quarante
50: cinquante
60: soixante
70: soixante-dix
80: quatre-vingt
90: quatre-vingt-dix

100-999:

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

1000-1,000,000:

1,000: mille
2,000: deux mille
100,000: cent mille
200,000: deux cent mille
1,000,000: un million
2,000,000: deux millions

Compound Numbers:

21: vingt et un
34: trente-quatre
125: cent vingt-cinq
4,567: quatre mille cinq cent soixante-sept

Ordinal Numbers

Ordinal numbers refer to the position or sequence of an item: first, second, third, etc. In French, the formation of ordinal numbers is generally regular.

General Rule: Take the cardinal number and add "-ième" (for masculine numbers) or "-ème" (for feminine numbers).

Exceptions:

1st: premier/première
2nd: second/seconde
3rd: troisième
4th: quatrième

Examples:

4th: quatrième
5th: cinquième
10th: dixième
15th: quinzième

Additional Notes

Liaison: When pronouncing compound numbers, the final consonant of the tens or hundreds digit is linked to the vowel of the next digit, if it begins with a vowel. For example, "vingt-et-un" is pronounced as "ving-e-tun."

Gender: Ordinal numbers agree in gender with the noun they modify. For example, "le premier jour" (the first day) and "la première fois" (the first time).

Pronunciation Variations: There are regional variations in the pronunciation of certain numbers. For example, "huitante" (eighty) is sometimes used instead of "quatre-vingts" in certain regions.

Summary Table

The following table provides a summary of French number pronunciation:| Cardinal | Ordinal |
|---|---|
| 0 | zéro |
| 1 | un, une |
| 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 |
| 30 | trente |
| 40 | quarante |
| 50 | cinquante |
| 60 | soixante |
| 70 | soixante-dix |
| 80 | quatre-vingt |
| 90 | quatre-vingt-dix |
| 100 | cent |
| 1000 | mille |
| 100,000 | cent mille |
| 1,000,000 | un million |
| - | premier/première |
| - | second/seconde |
| - | troisième |
| - | quatrième |
| - | cinquième |