French Numbers Above 100: A Guide for English Speakers
Introduction to French Numbers Beyond 100
Counting in French beyond 100 can be straightforward, as long as you understand the basic pattern. For English speakers, mastering these numbers involves recognizing some new vocabulary and using basic addition.
Basic Structure of Numbers over 100
In French, each "hundred" is expressed as "cent". From there, numbers are built by adding multiples of "dix" (ten) and the individual units. For instance, 234 is deux cent trente-quatre.
Number Range: 100 to 199
cent
one hundred
cent un
one hundred and one
cent cinquante
one hundred and fifty
cent quatre-vingt-dix-neuf
one hundred and ninety-nine
Number Range: 200 to 999
Numbers in this range follow a pattern similar to tens. However, the prefix will change according to the hundred multiplier. Note that "cent" becomes "cents" when it's multiplied and not followed by another number, except for 200. For example:
deux cents
two hundred
trois cent cinq
three hundred and five
quatre cent vingt
four hundred and twenty
huit cent quatre-vingt-huit
eight hundred and eighty-eight
Large Numbers: 1000 and Beyond
For numbers in the thousands, French uses the word "mille". Unlike English, there's no equivalent to "a thousand" as a standalone word; you would simply use "mille".
mille
one thousand
mille deux cents
one thousand two hundred
deux mille vingt
two thousand and twenty
trois mille cinq cents
three thousand five hundred
Practical Uses and Tips
Understanding numbers is not just about memorization. Try using these numbers in real-life scenarios, such as telling the time, counting money, or giving your phone number in French. Making these numbers part of your conversations will help solidify your understanding.
- Practice with real-life scenarios like addresses and prices.
- Pair with audio resources to improve pronunciation.
- Try writing numbers down in both digits and words.
Further Reading
- French Numbers
Comprehensive guide to French numbers.
- Counting Higher Numbers in French
Learn to count beyond 100 in French.
- Mastering French Numbers
Tips for mastering French numbers.