Pronunciation of French Numbers

The pronunciation of French numbers is very straightforward. French numbers build on each in almost the same way that they do in English. Therefore, once you get to twenty, it's pretty smooth sailing.

The key to the pronunciation of French numbers is to master the lowest numbers first because they are the building blocks. The most difficult sound to make is probably the nasal one found in un, in, an and on.

This can be practiced by squeezing the nose with thumb and forefinger as you pronounce the letters, shortly and lightly. You will hear a nasal sound emerge. Refer to the French Pronunciation Table for help pronouncing other words.

In English, numbers start building after 12. This is not the case in French. Numbers are distinct until 17, which is when they start building by putting together 10 (dix) and 7 (sept.)

Note that in 18, the 'h' in huit is silent. Therefore the 's' sound made by the 'x' is carried over and heard, thus dees-weet. This will happen in counting French numbers that involve 'huit.'

Additionally, the 's' sound is heard with 9 (neuf), thus dees-nurf.

Once you arrive at twenty, it becomes a matter of adding the number to the prefix -- as in English. In addition to un, cinq , vingt and all of the ante endings are nasal sounds.

• 20 is vingt and is pronounced as van (nasal)
  • 21 is vingt-et un and is pronounced vant-ay-uh
  • 22 is vingt-deux and is pronounced as van-duhr
• 30 is trente and is pronounced as tront
  • 31 is trent-et-un and is pronounced as tront-ay-uh
• 40 is quarante and is pronounced as karont (nasal)
• 50 is cinquante and is pronounced as sank-ont (nasal)
• 60 is soixante and is pronounced as swa-sont (nasal)
• 80 is quatre-vingt and is pronounced as katr-van (nasal)
• 100 is cent and is pronounced as son (nasal)
• 1,000 is mille and is pronounced as meel

Now septante just doesn't sound right and may even sound a bit too much like it's predecessor soixante. Therefore, from 60-80 is just like 1-20.

At 70 add ten and keep going until 80:

• 70 is soixante-dix and is pronounced as swa-sont-dees (nasal)

At 90 add ten to 'quatre-vingt' and continue until 100

• 90 is quartre-vingt-dix and is pronounced as kat-ra-van-dees (nasal)

Remember that the key to pronunciation of any new language is to listen and imitate what is heard. Traveling to French-speaking countries is the best method, because with immersion one is forced to understand, even if does not happen right away.

If you can't get to France, remember that in the following countries/areas many, if not most, people speak French:

• Switzerland (Lausanne)
• Belgium
• Canada (mainly province of Quebec)
• Martinique
• Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire
• Morrocco and Algeria
• Lebanon
• Vietnam

Prepare for your travel by taking classes, watching lots of French films and even visiting local French restaurants. You can also visit websites like Ask Oxford and listen to the sound clips provided.

If you listen closely you will notice that the French language is all around, and with lots of practice you'll be pronouncing French numbers fluently.

Counting and pronouncing the number correctly in French can help you comprehension as well as speaking the language. If you're ready to practice the basics of French numbers, print off this printable French numbers worksheet to see how well you you're doing!

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