Learning to count in French is one of the first steps in mastering the language. While numbers 1 to 20 are relatively straightforward, the French number system becomes more complex—and fascinating—as you go higher. From the unique structure of 70, 80, and 90 to the way large numbers are formed, understanding French numbers is essential for everyday life: telling time, shopping, giving phone numbers, talking about prices, dates, and quantities.
This comprehensive guide will teach you how to compter jusqu'à 100 000 (count up to 100,000) in French. You will learn the rules, the patterns, the exceptions, and how to pronounce each number correctly. By the end, you will be able to count confidently in any situation.
1. Numbers 0–20: The Foundation (Les Nombres 0–20)
These numbers are the building blocks for everything that follows. Memorize them well.
| Number | French | Pronunciation (approximate) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | zéro | zay-roh |
| 1 | un | uhn |
| 2 | deux | duh |
| 3 | trois | trwah |
| 4 | quatre | ka-truh |
| 5 | cinq | sank |
| 6 | six | seess |
| 7 | sept | set |
| 8 | huit | weet |
| 9 | neuf | nuhf |
| 10 | dix | deess |
| 11 | onze | ohnz |
| 12 | douze | dooz |
| 13 | treize | trehz |
| 14 | quatorze | ka-torz |
| 15 | quinze | kanz |
| 16 | seize | sehz |
| 17 | dix-sept | dee-set |
| 18 | dix-huit | dee-zweet |
| 19 | dix-neuf | dee-zuhf |
| 20 | vingt | van |
Key Observations:
- Numbers 17, 18, and 19 are formed by combining dix (ten) + the unit: dix-sept (10+7), dix-huit (10+8), dix-neuf (10+9).
- The final consonant of six, dix, and huit is usually silent when alone but may be pronounced in liaison before a vowel.
Beginner Tip: Practice these numbers daily until they become automatic. They are the foundation for all higher numbers.
2. Numbers 20–69: The Tens and Units (Les Dizaines)
From 20 to 69, French numbers follow a logical pattern: the tens (20, 30, 40, 50, 60) plus the units (1–9).
Tens (20–60):
| Number | French | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 20 | vingt | van |
| 30 | trente | trahnt |
| 40 | quarante | ka-rahnt |
| 50 | cinquante | sahn-kahnt |
| 60 | soixante | swah-sahnt |
21–69 (Adding Units):
From 21 to 69, you simply combine the tens with the unit, using et (and) for numbers ending in 1, and a hyphen for others.
Examples:
- 21 – vingt et un (van-tay-uhn) – 20 + 1
- 22 – vingt-deux (van-duh)
- 23 – vingt-trois (van-trwah)
- 31 – trente et un (trahnt-tay-uhn)
- 41 – quarante et un (ka-rahnt-tay-uhn)
- 51 – cinquante et un (sahn-kahnt-tay-uhn)
- 61 – soixante et un (swah-sahnt-tay-uhn)
Complete Pattern Example (30s):
- 30 – trente
- 31 – trente et un
- 32 – trente-deux
- 33 – trente-trois
- 34 – trente-quatre
- 35 – trente-cinq
- 36 – trente-six
- 37 – trente-sept
- 38 – trente-huit
- 39 – trente-neuf
Key Rules:
- Use et (and) only with numbers ending in 1: vingt et un, trente et un, quarante et un, cinquante et un, soixante et un.
- For all other numbers (2–9), use a hyphen: vingt-deux, trente-trois, quarante-quatre, etc.
3. Numbers 70–99: The Tricky Part!
This is where French numbers become unique and often confusing for learners.
70–79: Soixante-dix (60 + 10)
In France, 70 is soixante-dix (60 + 10). Then you add the numbers 1–9.
- 70 – soixante-dix (swah-sahnt-deess) – 60 + 10
- 71 – soixante et onze (swah-sahnt-tay-ohnz) – 60 + 11
- 72 – soixante-douze (swah-sahnt-dooz) – 60 + 12
- 73 – soixante-treize (swah-sahnt-trehz) – 60 + 13
- 74 – soixante-quatorze (swah-sahnt-ka-torz) – 60 + 14
- 75 – soixante-quinze (swah-sahnt-kanz) – 60 + 15
- 76 – soixante-seize (swah-sahnt-sehz) – 60 + 16
- 77 – soixante-dix-sept (swah-sahnt-dee-set) – 60 + 17
- 78 – soixante-dix-huit (swah-sahnt-dee-zweet) – 60 + 18
- 79 – soixante-dix-neuf (swah-sahnt-dee-zuhf) – 60 + 19
80–89: Quatre-vingts (4 × 20)
80 is quatre-vingts (4 × 20).
- 80 – quatre-vingts (ka-truh-van) – 4 × 20
- 81 – quatre-vingt-un (ka-truh-van-uhn) – 4 × 20 + 1
- 82 – quatre-vingt-deux (ka-truh-van-duh)
- 83 – quatre-vingt-trois (ka-truh-van-trwah)
- 84 – quatre-vingt-quatre (ka-truh-van-ka-truh)
- 85 – quatre-vingt-cinq (ka-truh-van-sank)
- 86 – quatre-vingt-six (ka-truh-van-seess)
- 87 – quatre-vingt-sept (ka-truh-van-set)
- 88 – quatre-vingt-huit (ka-truh-van-weet)
- 89 – quatre-vingt-neuf (ka-truh-van-nuhf)
90–99: Quatre-vingt-dix (4 × 20 + 10)
90 is quatre-vingt-dix (4 × 20 + 10).
- 90 – quatre-vingt-dix (ka-truh-van-deess) – 4 × 20 + 10
- 91 – quatre-vingt-onze (ka-truh-van-ohnz) – 4 × 20 + 11
- 92 – quatre-vingt-douze (ka-truh-van-dooz) – 4 × 20 + 12
- 93 – quatre-vingt-treize (ka-truh-van-trehz) – 4 × 20 + 13
- 94 – quatre-vingt-quatorze (ka-truh-van-ka-torz) – 4 × 20 + 14
- 95 – quatre-vingt-quinze (ka-truh-van-kanz) – 4 × 20 + 15
- 96 – quatre-vingt-seize (ka-truh-van-sehz) – 4 × 20 + 16
- 97 – quatre-vingt-dix-sept (ka-truh-van-dee-set) – 4 × 20 + 17
- 98 – quatre-vingt-dix-huit (ka-truh-van-dee-zweet) – 4 × 20 + 18
- 99 – quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (ka-truh-van-dee-zuhf) – 4 × 20 + 19
Important Notes:
- Quatre-vingts (80) has an -s (plural) because it's 4 × 20.
- When quatre-vingt is followed by another number (81–99), the -s disappears: quatre-vingt-un (not quatre-vingts-un).
- This pattern is unique to France. In Belgium and Switzerland, septante (70), huitante (80) or octante, and nonante (90) are used. But in France, soixante-dix, quatre-vingts, and quatre-vingt-dix are standard.
4. Numbers 100–999: Hundreds (Les Centaines)
Once you know the numbers up to 99, hundreds are easy!
Key Vocabulary:
- cent – hundred
- deux cents – two hundred
- trois cents – three hundred
- mille – thousand (more on this later)
Hundreds (100–900):
- 100 – cent (sahn)
- 200 – deux cents (duh-sahn)
- 300 – trois cents (trwah-sahn)
- 400 – quatre cents (ka-truh-sahn)
- 500 – cinq cents (sank-sahn)
- 600 – six cents (seess-sahn)
- 700 – sept cents (set-sahn)
- 800 – huit cents (weet-sahn)
- 900 – neuf cents (nuhf-sahn)
With Units and Tens (101–199, etc.):
When the number is not a round hundred, you add the rest of the number without the -s on cent.
- 101 – cent un (sahn-uhn) – NOT cents un.
- 102 – cent deux (sahn-duh)
- 110 – cent dix (sahn-deess)
- 120 – cent vingt (sahn-van)
- 150 – cent cinquante (sahn-sahn-kahnt)
- 201 – deux cent un (duh-sahn-uhn) – the -s disappears!
- 300 – trois cents (has an -s) – because it's a round number.
- 301 – trois cent un (trwah-sahn-uhn) – no -s because it's not a round number.
Rule: Cent takes an -s only when it is a round multiple (200, 300, 400... 900) and not followed by another number. Otherwise, it stays cent (without -s).
Examples:
- 200 – deux cents (duh-sahn)
- 201 – deux cent un (duh-sahn-uhn)
- 300 – trois cents (trwah-sahn)
- 350 – trois cent cinquante (trwah-sahn-sahn-kahnt)
- 999 – neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (nuhf-sahn-ka-truh-van-dee-zuhf)
5. Numbers 1,000–9,999: Thousands (Les Milliers)
Now we enter the thousands. Mille (thousand) is relatively straightforward—it never takes an -s, even when it's a multiple.
Key Vocabulary:
- mille – thousand
- deux mille – two thousand
- dix mille – ten thousand
- cent mille – one hundred thousand
Examples:
- 1,000 – mille (meel)
- 2,000 – deux mille (duh-meel) – no -s on mille!
- 3,000 – trois mille (trwah-meel)
- 10,000 – dix mille (deess-meel)
- 100,000 – cent mille (sahn-meel)
With Hundreds and Tens:
- 1,100 – mille cent (meel-sahn)
- 1,200 – mille deux cents (meel-duh-sahn) – cent takes an -s because it's a round hundred after mille.
- 1,201 – mille deux cent un (meel-duh-sahn-uhn) – cent loses its -s.
- 2,500 – deux mille cinq cents (duh-meel-sank-sahn)
- 3,456 – trois mille quatre cent cinquante-six (trwah-meel-ka-truh-sahn-sahn-kahnt-seess)
- 10,000 – dix mille (deess-meel)
- 20,000 – vingt mille (van-meel)
- 99,999 – quatre-vingt-dix-neuf mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (ka-truh-van-dee-zuhf-meel-nuhf-sahn-ka-truh-van-dee-zuhf)
Key Rule:
- Mille is invariable. It never takes an -s, even in multiples.
- Only cent and vingt can take an -s in certain conditions (round numbers, not followed by another number).
6. Numbers 10,000–100,000: Ten Thousands to One Hundred Thousand
Once you know the thousands, these follow the same pattern.
- 10,000 – dix mille (deess-meel)
- 20,000 – vingt mille (van-meel)
- 30,000 – trente mille (trahnt-meel)
- 40,000 – quarante mille (ka-rahnt-meel)
- 50,000 – cinquante mille (sahn-kahnt-meel)
- 60,000 – soixante mille (swah-sahnt-meel)
- 70,000 – soixante-dix mille (swah-sahnt-deess-meel)
- 80,000 – quatre-vingts mille (ka-truh-van-meel) – vingt takes an -s because it's a round multiple before mille.
- 90,000 – quatre-vingt-dix mille (ka-truh-van-deess-meel)
- 100,000 – cent mille (sahn-meel)
Important Notes:
- Quatre-vingts mille (80,000) has an -s on vingts because it's a round number. When followed by another number, the -s disappears.
- Cent mille (100,000) is simple and common.
7. The Special Rule for VINGT and CENT
These two numbers have special plural forms that often confuse learners.
VINGT (20):
- Vingt takes an -s only when it is multiplied and not followed by another number.
- 80 – quatre-vingts (ka-truh-van) – has an -s.
- 81 – quatre-vingt-un (ka-truh-van-uhn) – no -s.
- Quatre-vingts mille (80,000) has an -s because it's a round number and not followed by another number.
CENT (100):
- Cent takes an -s only when it is multiplied and not followed by another number.
- 200 – deux cents (duh-sahn) – has an -s.
- 201 – deux cent un (duh-sahn-uhn) – no -s.
- Mille deux cents (1,200) – has an -s.
- Mille deux cent un (1,201) – no -s.
Beginner Tip: Remember: Mille is always mille – no -s ever!
8. Number Table: 1 to 100,000
Here is a condensed reference table for the key numbers.
| Number | French | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | zéro | |
| 1 | un | |
| 10 | dix | |
| 20 | vingt | |
| 21 | vingt et un | Use "et" with 1 |
| 30 | trente | |
| 40 | quarante | |
| 50 | cinquante | |
| 60 | soixante | |
| 70 | soixante-dix | 60 + 10 |
| 80 | quatre-vingts | 4 × 20 (has -s) |
| 90 | quatre-vingt-dix | 4 × 20 + 10 |
| 100 | cent | |
| 200 | deux cents | has -s |
| 1,000 | mille | invariable |
| 10,000 | dix mille | |
| 100,000 | cent mille |
9. Pronunciation Tips for Numbers
Here are some key pronunciation points:
- Liaison: In numbers like six (seess), dix (deess), and huit (weet), the final consonant is pronounced when followed by a vowel sound. For example: dix-huit – "dee-zweet" (the 'x' becomes a 'z' sound).
- Vingt (20): The final 't' is pronounced in vingt et un (van-tay-uhn) but silent in vingt-deux (van-duh).
- Cent (100): The final 't' is silent when alone (cent = sahn) but may be pronounced in liaison (cent ans = sahn-tahn – 100 years).
- Mille (1,000): Pronounced "meel" – the 'll' is not a 'y' sound here.
10. Using Numbers in Real Life
Here are practical examples of how numbers are used in everyday situations.
Prices:
- 2,50 € – deux euros cinquante (duh-uh-roh-sahn-kahnt)
- 15,99 € – quinze euros quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (kanz-uh-roh-ka-truh-van-dee-zuhf)
- 100 € – cent euros (sahn-uh-roh)
- 1,500 € – mille cinq cents euros (meel-sank-sahn-uh-roh)
Years:
- 2024 – deux mille vingt-quatre (duh-meel-van-ka-truh)
- 1999 – mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (meel-nuhf-sahn-ka-truh-van-dee-zuhf)
- 2026 – deux mille vingt-six (duh-meel-van-seess)
Phone Numbers:
French phone numbers are read in pairs:
- 06 12 34 56 78 – zéro six, douze, trente-quatre, cinquante-six, soixante-dix-huit
- 01 23 45 67 89 – zéro un, vingt-trois, quarante-cinq, soixante-sept, quatre-vingt-neuf
Ages:
- J'ai 25 ans. – I am 25 years old. (J'ai vingt-cinq ans.)
- Elle a 70 ans. – She is 70. (Elle a soixante-dix ans.)
Quantities:
- J'ai besoin de 100 grammes de beurre. – I need 100 grams of butter.
- Il y a 1 500 personnes. – There are 1,500 people.
11. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these frequent errors when counting in French:
- Forgetting the "et" in 21, 31, 41, 51, 61, 71: ❌ vingt un → ✅ vingt et un.
- Adding an -s to mille: ❌ deux milles → ✅ deux mille (mille is invariable).
- Forgetting the -s on quatre-vingts and cent: ❌ quatre-vingt (for 80) → ✅ quatre-vingts (with -s).
- Adding an -s to cent when followed by another number: ❌ deux cents un → ✅ deux cent un (no -s).
- Confusing 70, 80, and 90: Practice these until they become automatic: soixante-dix (70), quatre-vingts (80), quatre-vingt-dix (90).
- Using the wrong word order in 70–99: ❌ dix-soixante → ✅ soixante-dix.
12. Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these exercises.
Exercise 1: Write the following numbers in French.
- 15
- 22
- 31
- 45
- 68
- 74
- 82
- 97
- 150
- 365
- 1,000
- 5,000
- 10,000
- 100,000
Answers: 1. quinze, 2. vingt-deux, 3. trente et un, 4. quarante-cinq, 5. soixante-huit, 6. soixante-quatorze, 7. quatre-vingt-deux, 8. quatre-vingt-dix-sept, 9. cent cinquante, 10. trois cent soixante-cinq, 11. mille, 12. cinq mille, 13. dix mille, 14. cent mille
Exercise 2: Translate these numbers from French to numerals.
- trente-deux
- soixante-dix-neuf
- quatre-vingt-douze
- deux cent quatre-vingt-dix
- mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf
- dix mille trois cent vingt-cinq
Answers: 1. 32, 2. 79, 3. 92, 4. 290, 5. 1999, 6. 10,325
Exercise 3: Write the following in French.
- I am 25 years old.
- It costs 15 euros.
- There are 2,000 people.
- My phone number is 06 12 34 56 78.
- I need 100 grams of sugar.
Answers: 1. J'ai vingt-cinq ans. 2. Ça coûte quinze euros. 3. Il y a deux mille personnes. 4. Mon numéro de téléphone est le zéro six, douze, trente-quatre, cinquante-six, soixante-dix-huit. 5. J'ai besoin de cent grammes de sucre.
13. Memory Tricks and Mnemonics
Here are some simple memory aids to help you remember French numbers:
- "Soixante-dix" = 60 + 10 – Think of it as "60 and 10" to remember 70.
- "Quatre-vingts" = 4 × 20 – Visualize 4 groups of 20 to remember 80.
- "Quatre-vingt-dix" = 4 × 20 + 10 – This is 90 in France.
- "Mille is always mille" – Never add an -s to thousand.
- "Cent gets an -s only when it's alone" – Round hundreds (200, 300...) have an -s; otherwise, no -s.
14. How to Practice Numbers
Consistent practice is the key to mastering numbers. Here are some effective strategies:
- Count everything around you: steps, objects, people.
- Practice reading prices and phone numbers aloud.
- Write down numbers and convert them to French words.
- Listen to French videos with numbers and repeat them.
- Play number games: bingo, dice games, or counting games.
- Practice with a partner: quiz each other on numbers.
15. Cultural Note: Numbers in France
Understanding the cultural context of numbers in France can be helpful.
Belgian and Swiss Variations:
In Belgium and Switzerland, you might hear septante (70), huitante (80) or octante, and nonante (90). These are logical and easier for learners! However, in France, the traditional system is used.
Fun Fact:
The French number system for 70, 80, and 90 comes from the Celtic and Gaulish influence, where counting in twenties was common. This historical quirk persists to this day!
When to Use Numbers:
In France, numbers are used in formal and informal settings alike. Prices are always given in euros, dates are written in the format JJ/MM/AAAA, and phone numbers are always read in pairs.
Final Thoughts
Mastering how to count up to 100,000 in French is an essential skill for everyday life. Remember the key patterns:
- 1–69: Logical tens + units.
- 70–99: The special system (60+10, 4×20, 4×20+10).
- 100+: Cent and mille rules.
- Special rules: Cent and vingt take an -s only in round multiples not followed by another number.
- Mille is always invariable.
With consistent practice, counting in French will become second nature. The more you use numbers in real-life contexts, the more confident you will become.
Ready to practice? Leave a comment below with a number (between 1 and 100,000) written in French. We will check your spelling and provide feedback to help you perfect your skills!
Example: 48 567 → quarante-huit mille cinq cent soixante-sept
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