Video:Pronunciation Rules for Counting in French
with Milo De PrietoCounting in French is an important part of mastering a conversational level of the language. Learn a few pronunciation rules for numbers in French in this how-to video from About.com.See Transcript
Transcript:Pronunciation Rules for Counting in French
Bonjour. I'm Milo for About.com and today we're talking about some pronunciation rules for counting in French.
How to Count Basic Numbers in French
Let's start with some examples from the beginning: 0- zéro, 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.
Typically the consonants at the end of many numbers are pronounced when they come in front of a vowel or when they end a sentence: 5- cinq, 6- six, 8- huit, 10- dix.
However, sometimes when they come in front of another consonant, they are dropped in pronunciation: 800- huit cent, 10,000- dix mille.
Counting and Writing Large Numbers in French
The numbers up to 69 are simple except the numbers ending in 1 where you add “and.” Listen to how the “t” in “et” is pronounced with the “u” of “un.” 20- vingt, 21- vingt et un, 22- vingt-deux, 30- trente, 31- trente et un, 32- trente-deux, 40- quarante, 41- quarante et un, 42- quarante-deux.
At 70 you begin to reference the numbers as if you were adding from 60. So 70 is actually 60 and 10, continuing upwards: 70- soixante-dix, 71- soixante et onze, etc.
Instead of 80 you say four twenties and continue on as before. This time notice how you do not use “et”, “and” here for the ones. 80- quatre-vingts, 81- quatre-vingt-un, 82- quatre-vingt-deux, 83- quatre-vingt-trois.
At 90 you do what you did with seventy. Again, notice how you do not use “et”, “and” here for the ones. 90- quatre-vingt-dix, 91- quatre-vingt-onze, 92- quatre-vingt-douze, etc.
In long numbers, when there would be a comma in English, there is a period in French. And to denote that, you pause briefly at the period to acknowledge it and make the number clear. 15.600 - 15,60030.500 - 30,500525.600 - 525,600 On our french website try the random number generator to practice your numbers.
For more helpful and excellent information on speaking and learning French, check us out at About.com.