Basic counting numbers

Level 1

French cardinal numbers are used for counting, telling time, and dates. While mostly decimal, they use a unique base-20 system for numbers 70–99.

How It Works

1. Basic Counting and Gender
Most numbers are invariable. The exception is un (masculine) which becomes une (feminine) when counting feminine objects (e.g., vingt et une pages).

2. The 70-99 System
Standard French uses a base-20 logic for higher numbers:

  • 70 = soixante-dix (60 + 10)
  • 80 = quatre-vingts (4 × 20)
  • 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (4 × 20 + 10)

3. The 'Et' (And) Rule
The word et is used for numbers ending in 1 from 21 to 71 (e.g., vingt et un, soixante et onze). It is not used for 81 (quatre-vingt-un) or 91 (quatre-vingt-onze). Note: Since 1990, it is also acceptable to use hyphens between all parts of a number (e.g., vingt-et-un).

4. Pluralizing Vingt and Cent
Vingt (in 80) and cent (hundreds) take an -s only when they are multiplied by a number AND are not followed by another number.

  • 80 = quatre-vingts
  • 83 = quatre-vingt-trois (no -s)
  • 200 = deux cents
  • 205 = deux cent cinq (no -s)

5. Mille vs. Million/Milliard
Mille (1,000) is always invariable and never takes an -s. However, million and milliard (billion) are nouns; they take an -s in the plural, require the article un (e.g., un million), and must be followed by de before a noun (e.g., deux millions de personnes).

Examples (5)

  1. Il y a quatre-vingts invités à la fête.

    There are eighty guests at the party.

    Word by Word: It there has four-twenty guests at the party.

    Note the -s on 'vingts' because it is 80 exactly and no number follows it.

  2. Ma grand-mère a soixante et onze ans.

    My grandmother is seventy-one years old.

    Word by Word: My grandmother has sixty and eleven years.

    Uses the 'et' conjunction for 71 (soixante et onze).

  3. Ce livre coûte deux cents euros.

    This book costs two hundred euros.

    Word by Word: This book costs two hundreds euros.

    Note the -s on 'cents' because it is a round multiple of 100.

  4. J'ai acheté deux mille stylos.

    I bought two thousand pens.

    Word by Word: I have bought two thousand pens.

    'Mille' is always invariable and never takes an -s.

  5. Il est huit heures du matin.

    It is eight o'clock in the morning.

    Word by Word: It is eight hours of the morning.

    Cardinal numbers are used to tell the time.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 'et' for 81 or 91.

    quatre-vingt-et-un
    quatre-vingt-un

    The conjunction 'et' is only used for 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, and 71. For 81 and 91, use a hyphen instead.

  • Pluralizing 'mille'.

    deux milles
    deux mille

    Unlike 'vingt' and 'cent', the word 'mille' (1,000) never takes an -s, regardless of the number preceding it.

  • Adding 'un' before cent or mille.

    un cent / un mille
    cent / mille

    In French, you do not say 'a hundred' or 'a thousand'. You simply say 'cent' or 'mille'.

How It Connects

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Basic counting numbersLevel 1

Learn This First

To learn French cardinal numbers, you need to understand how the number 'one' changes based on gender (un/une) and how liaison affects the pronunciation of numbers when they precede words starting with a vowel or silent H.

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