Vocab-Essential: French Numbers
Conquering the 70s, 80s, 90s, and Ordinal Rules
The Base 20 vs. Base 10 System
French numbers largely follow a straightforward base 10 system until the number 70. This is where French (like Belgian and Swiss French, but with different structures) shifts to a combination system.
1. The Easy Part: 0 to 69
Numbers from 0 to 69 are generally regular, though hyphenation rules exist (*vingt-et-un*, *trente-deux*, etc.).
2. The Tricky Part: 70 to 99
French switches to a **vigesimal (base 20) system** for these numbers:
70s (Soixante-dix: 60 + 10)
The 70s are formed by taking *soixante* (60) and adding the numbers 10 through 19.
- 70: soixante-dix (60 + 10)
- 71: soixante-et-onze (60 + 11)
- 79: soixante-dix-neuf (60 + 19)
80s (Quatre-vingts: 4 x 20)
The 80s are formed by taking *quatre-vingts* (4 x 20 = 80) and adding 1 through 19.
- 80: quatre-vingts (4 x 20)
- 81: quatre-vingt-un (4 x 20 + 1)
- 89: quatre-vingt-neuf (4 x 20 + 9)
**Plural Rule:** *Vingt* only takes an 's' in *quatre-vingts* when it is the last word in the number (e.g., 80, 80 000), but not in 81-99.
90s (Quatre-vingt-dix: 4 x 20 + 10)
The 90s are the combination: *quatre-vingt* (80) and adding 10 through 19.
- 90: quatre-vingt-dix (4 x 20 + 10)
- 91: quatre-vingt-onze (4 x 20 + 11)
- 99: quatre-vingt-dix-neuf (4 x 20 + 19)
3. Ordinal Numbers (First, Second, Third)
Ordinal numbers are used for order and dates (day of the month).
Rule: Take the cardinal number, drop the final **-e** (if present), and add the suffix **-ième**.
- **Special Case 1:** 1st = premier / première
- **Special Case 2:** 5 changes to **cinquième** (keep the 'u')
- **Special Case 3:** 9 changes to **neuvième** (f drops to v)
- Regular: *deux* → *deuxième*; *vingt* → *vingtième*
Numbers & Dates Worksheet Generator
Practice writing out numbers in French, focusing on the tricky structures and usage in dates.
Your generated worksheet will appear here. Click "Generate Worksheet" to begin.