French Numbers 1–1000: Pronunciation & Common Traps

Why French Numbers Trip Everyone Up

Unlike most European languages, French doesn't have simple words for 70, 80, or 90. Instead, it uses a mathematical system rooted in an old counting base of 20 — a quirk that surprises every learner.

1–20: The Ones to Memorise

The numbers 1–16 are unique words. From 17 onward, they follow a pattern (dix-sept = 10+7, dix-huit = 10+8, dix-neuf = 10+9). You simply have to memorise 1–16.

• 1 un, 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

The Tricky Decades: 70, 80, 90

• 70 = soixante-dix (60+10). 71 = soixante et onze, 72 = soixante-douze…
• 80 = quatre-vingts (4×20). Note the s drops when followed by another number: 81 = quatre-vingt-un (no s).
• 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (4×20+10). 91 = quatre-vingt-onze, 99 = quatre-vingt-dix-neuf.

Belgian & Swiss French Are Easier!

In Belgium and Switzerland, they say septante (70), huitante/octante (80), and nonante (90) — much more logical! If you're taking the TCF Canada, standard French applies.

Hundreds and Thousands

• 100 = cent, 200 = deux cents (note the s), 201 = deux cent un (no s)
• 1 000 = mille (never takes an s)
• 1 000 000 = un million (takes an s when plural: deux millions)

Pronunciation Pitfalls

• cinq: the final q is pronounced before a vowel or at end of phrase, silent before a consonant
• six, dix: final consonant is /s/ before a vowel, /z/ before a vowel in liaison, silent before a consonant
• vingt: the gt is silent in 20, but pronounced in 21–29!