Learn French Numbers

0–16: irregular bases

Memorize 0–16 as unique words: zéro, un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix, onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize.

17–19: dix-sept pattern

From 17, the pattern is dix- + unit:

• 17 = dix-sept
• 18 = dix-huit
• 19 = dix-neuf

20–69: regular tens

The tens are: vingt (20), trente (30), quarante (40), cinquante (50), soixante (60). Combine with et un for 1, or a hyphen for 2–9:

• 21 = vingt et un
• 22 = vingt-deux
• 31 = trente et un
• 45 = quarante-cinq
• 68 = soixante-huit

Note: et is used only with 1 (vingt et un, trente et un, etc.), never with other digits.

70–79: soixante-dix

French uses 60 + 10–19 instead of a separate word for 70:

• 70 = soixante-dix
• 71 = soixante et onze
• 72 = soixante-douze
• 79 = soixante-dix-neuf

80–89: quatre-vingts

80 literally means four twenties:

• 80 = quatre-vingts (note the -s)
• 81 = quatre-vingt-un (no -s, no et)
• 85 = quatre-vingt-cinq

The -s on vingts disappears when followed by another number.

90–99: quatre-vingt-dix

90 is 80 + 10, then continues like the seventies pattern:

• 90 = quatre-vingt-dix
• 91 = quatre-vingt-onze
• 99 = quatre-vingt-dix-neuf

Hundreds

• 100 = cent
• 200 = deux cents (with -s)
• 201 = deux cent un (no -s when followed by more)
• 500 = cinq cents

Rule: cents takes an -s only when it is the last word (deux cents, trois cents), but not when followed by another number (deux cent un).

Thousands & large numbers

• 1,000 = mille (never "un mille")
• 2,000 = deux mille
• 1,000,000 = un million
• 2,000,000 = deux millions
• 1,000,000,000 = un milliard

Mille is invariable (never takes -s). Million and milliard are nouns and do take -s in the plural.

Common mistakes

1. quatre-vingts vs. quatre-vingt-un: the -s disappears before another number.
2. deux cents vs. deux cent un: same rule for hundreds.
3. soixante et onze (71): don’t forget the et.
4. mille: never "un mille", never "milles".
5. Hyphens: required between all number words under 100 (modern spelling reform).