Числівники 0–100

French counts the way you would expect up to 69. From 70 to 99 it switches to an older system based on twenties, so 80 is "four twenties" and 97 is "four twenties seventeen". This part takes practice even for advanced learners.

From 17 to 19, French builds the number as "ten-seven", "ten-eight", "ten-nine".

70 to 99

• 70 = soixante-dix (60 + 10), 71 = soixante et onze, 72 = soixante-douze, up to 79 = soixante-dix-neuf
• 80 = quatre-vingts (4 × 20)
• 81 = quatre-vingt-un, 85 = quatre-vingt-cinq
• 90 = quatre-vingt-dix (4 × 20 + 10), 91 = quatre-vingt-onze, 99 = quatre-vingt-dix-neuf
• 100 = cent

Quatre-vingts keeps its -s when no other number follows and loses it before another number: quatre-vingts euros, quatre-vingt-trois euros.

et un

21, 31, 41, 51, 61 and 71 join the 1 with et: vingt et un, trente et un, soixante et onze. 81 and 91 do not: quatre-vingt-un, quatre-vingt-onze. The other numbers use hyphens: vingt-deux, trente-cinq.

Belgium and Switzerland

In Belgium and Switzerland you will hear septante (70) and nonante (90), and in parts of Switzerland huitante (80). They are correct French, but in France stick to soixante-dix and quatre-vingt-dix.

Listening tip

Phone numbers in France are read in pairs: 01 42 76 80 95 is zéro un, quarante-deux, soixante-seize, quatre-vingts, quatre-vingt-quinze. Practise the 70s and 90s until you can hear them without adding in your head.