French Numbers: Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers!

Photo by Susan Holt Simpson on Unsplash

 

Are you learning French and find numbers a headache? Cardinal and ordinal numbers can be particularly tricky with their confusing pronunciation and complex rules. But don't worry! This blog post will guide you through the basics of French numbers, from fundamental concepts to practical tips. Let's embark on a journey to discover the charm of French numbers together!

 

Cardinal Numbers (Les nombres cardinaux): Numbers that Indicate Quantity

 

French cardinal numbers, like Korean numbers, represent the quantity of objects. However, there are a few special rules to keep in mind.

 

Cardinal Numbers from 1 to 20:

 

• 1: un (un, masculine), une (une, feminine)
• 2: deux (deuh)
• 3: trois (twah)
• 4: quatre (katruh)
• 5: cinq (sank)
• 6: six (seess)
• 7: sept (set)
• 8: huit (weet)
• 9: neuf (nuf)
• 10: dix (deess)
• 11: onze (onz)
• 12: douze (dooz)
• 13: treize (trez)
• 14: quatorze (katorz)
• 15: quinze (kanz)
• 16: seize (sez)
• 17: dix-sept (deess-set)
• 18: dix-huit (deess-weet)
• 19: dix-neuf (deess-nuf)
• 20: vingt (van)

 

Cardinal Numbers in Tens (30 to 100):

 

• 30: trente (tront)
• 40: quarante (karont)
• 50: cinquante (sankont)
• 60: soixante (swasant)
• 70: soixante-dix (swasant-deess)
• 80: quatre-vingts (katruh-van)
• 90: quatre-vingt-dix (katruh-van-deess)
• 100: cent (son)

 

The Secret of the Sexagesimal System Hidden in French Numbers!

 

French numbers have a unique way of expressing numbers from 70 onwards, surprisingly retaining traces of the sexagesimal system used in ancient Babylonia.

 

• 70 (soixante-dix): 60 (soixante, the base unit of the sexagesimal system) plus 10 (dix)!
• 80 (quatre-vingts): 4 (quatre) multiplied by 20 (vingt)!
• 90 (quatre-vingt-dix): 4 (quatre) multiplied by 20 (vingt) plus 10 (dix)!

 

As you can see, the French numerical system is a unique blend of decimal, vigesimal, and sexagesimal systems. It may seem complicated, but understanding the history and mathematical principles behind it makes it even more fascinating!

 

Cardinal Numbers in Thousands and Ten Thousands:

 

• 1000: mille (meel)
• 10000: dix mille (dee meel)

 

Ordinal Numbers (Les nombres ordinaux): Numbers that Indicate Order

 

French ordinal numbers indicate the order of objects. They are formed by adding "-ième" to the cardinal number, but there are a few exceptions.

 

Ordinal Numbers from 1 to 20:

 

• 1st: premier (pruh-myay, masculine), première (pruh-myehr, feminine)
• 2nd: deuxième (deu-zyem) or second(e) (seugon, segond)
• 3rd: troisième (twah-zyem)
• 4th: quatrième (kat-tree-em)
• 5th: cinquième (sank-ee-em)
• 6th: sixième (see-zyem)
• 7th: septième (set-ee-em)
• 8th: huitième (weet-ee-em)
• 9th: neuvième (nuh-vee-em)
• 10th: dixième (dee-zyem)
• 11th: onzième (on-zyem)
• 12th: douzième (doo-zyem)
• 13th: treizième (tre-zyem)
• 14th: quatorzième (kator-zyem)
• 15th: quinzième (kan-zyem)
• 16th: seizième (se-zyem)
• 17th: dix-septième (deess-set-ee-em)
• 18th: dix-huitième (deess-weet-ee-em)
• 19th: dix-neuvième (deess-nuh-vee-em)
• 20th: vingtième (van-tee-em)

 

Conversation:

 

• A: "Tu as quel âge?" (tew ah kel ahj?) - How old are you?
• B: "J'ai vingt-cinq ans." (jay van sank on) - I am 25 years old.

 

• A: "C'est combien?" (say kom-bee-an?) - How much is this?
• B: "C'est quatre-vingt-dix euros." (say katruh van deess eroh) - It's 90 euros.

 

• A: "Vous êtes combien?" (vooz et kom-bee-an?) - How many of you are there?
• B: "Nous sommes trois." (noo som twah) - We are three.

 

Helpful Tips:

 

• Both cardinal and ordinal numbers can change form depending on gender and number.
• 1000 (mille) is invariable and has no plural form.

 

Now that you understand the basics of French cardinal and ordinal numbers, keep practicing and using them, and you'll soon become a French number master! À bientôt! (Ah bee-ahn-toh!)