Numbers for Everyday Use

Introduction

In our last lesson, we focused on using articles (le, la, un, une) to specify the nouns we talk about. This allows you to distinguish between discussing le projet (the specific project) and un projet (a project in general). Building on that foundation, we now turn to another essential tool for adding detail and precision: numbers.

Today's learning outcome is to recognize, pronounce, and use numbers for counting, telling time, and stating prices. This skill is indispensable. In your work, you'll need numbers to discuss software versions, ticket IDs, project timelines, and meeting schedules. In daily life, they're crucial for everything from buying coffee to catching a train. We will cover numbers 1-100, telling time using the 24-hour system, and asking for prices.

1. Counting from 1 to 100

French numbers are mostly straightforward, but they have a few quirks that require attention, particularly from 70 to 99. Let's break them down systematically.

The "Regular" Numbers: 1-69

The numbers up to 69 follow a fairly predictable pattern. Let's start by learning them in chunks.

As you saw, the pattern is quite logical:

• 1-16: Unique words (un, deux... seize).
• 17-19: Additive (dix-sept = 10+7).
• 21, 31, 41, 51, 61: Use et un (and one). Example: trente et un.
• All others: Tens + digit, joined by a hyphen. Example: quarante-cinq (45).

The "French Math" Numbers: 70-99

Here's where things get interesting. Instead of having unique words for 70, 80, and 90, French uses a system based on addition and multiplication. This is a historical remnant of an older base-20 counting system. Your logical mindset from software engineering might find the system's structure intriguing, even if it requires a bit of mental calculation at first.

Let's see how it works.

Here is a summary of the logic:

• 70s (soixante-dix...): Based on 60.
  • 70 = soixante-dix (sixty-ten)
  • 71 = soixante et onze (sixty and eleven)
  • 75 = soixante-quinze (sixty-fifteen)
• 80s (quatre-vingts...): Based on 20.
  • 80 = quatre-vingts (four-twenties). Note the 's' on vingts.
  • 81 = quatre-vingt-un (four-twenty-one). The 's' disappears, and there is no et.
  • 88 = quatre-vingt-huit (four-twenty-eight).
• 90s (quatre-vingt-dix...): A combination of the two systems.
  • 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (four-twenty-ten)
  • 91 = quatre-vingt-onze (four-twenty-eleven)
  • 99 = quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (four-twenty-nineteen)

Pronunciation Practice

Now, let's put it all together. Listening and repeating is key to making these numbers feel natural.

2. Telling Time in French

Now that you have the numbers, let's use them to schedule a meeting or check the time.

The most common way to ask for the time is:
Quelle heure est-il ? (What time is it?)

To answer, you always start with:
Il est... (It is...)

In France, especially in professional or formal contexts like train schedules or meeting invitations, the 24-hour clock (l'heure officielle) is standard. This is similar to how time is often represented in digital systems, so it should be familiar.

Let's watch a video that breaks this down clearly.

Here’s a visual summary of the key expressions for telling time in a more conversational 12-hour format:

Key Vocabulary for Telling Time:

• une heure (one o'clock): Il est une heure. (Note: heure is feminine)
• deux heures (two o'clock): Il est deux heures. (Note the 's' on heures)
• ... et quart: quarter past (e.g., Il est deux heures et quart. - 2:15)
• ... et demie: half past (e.g., Il est deux heures et demie. - 2:30)
• ... moins le quart: quarter to (e.g., Il est trois heures moins le quart. - 2:45)
• midi: noon (12:00 PM)
• minuit: midnight (12:00 AM)

Example in a professional context:

• La réunion est à quatorze heures trente (14h30). (The meeting is at 2:30 PM.)
• Le stand-up commence à neuf heures et quart (9h15). (The stand-up starts at 9:15 AM.)

3. Stating Prices

Discussing prices uses the same numbers. The currency in France is the euro (un euro, des euros).

To ask for the price of something, you can say:

• Ça coûte combien ? (How much does it cost?)
• C'est combien ? (How much is it?)

To state a price, you can say:

• Ça coûte... (It costs...)
• C'est... (It is...)

Examples:

• Un café, s'il vous plaît. C'est combien ? (A coffee, please. How much is it?)
• C'est deux euros cinquante. (It's two euros fifty.) -> 2,50 €
• Le nouveau serveur coûte quatre-vingt-dix-neuf euros. (The new server costs ninety-nine euros.) -> 99 €

4. Practice Exercises

Theory is one thing, but practice is what builds fluency. The following website offers interactive exercises with audio to help you master both numbers and time.

Conclusion

Excellent travail ! You have now learned a skill that is fundamental to almost every conversation. Being comfortable with numbers is a major step towards practical communication.

Key Takeaways:

• French numbers 1-69 follow a simple pattern, but numbers 70-99 use a unique additive/multiplicative system (soixante-dix, quatre-vingts).
• To tell time, use the phrase Il est... heure(s). The 24-hour clock is standard in formal and professional settings.
• Mastering phrases like et quart, et demie, and moins le quart will help you sound more natural.
• To state a price, use C'est... or Ça coûte... followed by the number and euros.

In our next lesson, we will begin Module 2 by tackling two of the most important verbs in the French language: être (to be) and avoir (to have). These are the building blocks you'll need to describe yourself, your work, and the world around you.

À bientôt !