Learning French numbers might seem tricky at first, but it's... Show more
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Updated Mar 24, 2026
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Master French Numbers: Count from 1 to 50
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Getting Started with French Numbers 1-20
French numbers from 1-10 are completely unique words that you'll need to memorise properly. Think of them as your building blocks - once you've got these down, everything else becomes much easier!
The key ones to nail first are: un (1), deux (2), trois (3), quatre (4), cinq (5), six (6), sept (7), huit (8), neuf (9), and dix (10). Don't worry about perfect pronunciation yet - just get familiar with how they look.
Numbers 11-16 are special cases that you'll have to learn separately: onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize. There's no pattern here, so it's just memorisation time!
Quick Tip: Practice writing out numbers 1-16 from memory. Once you can do this without looking, you're ready for the clever bit that comes next!
The Clever Pattern from 17-20 and Beyond
Here's where French gets really smart! Numbers 17-19 follow a simple pattern: they're literally "ten-seven", "ten-eight", "ten-nine". So you get dix-sept (17), dix-huit (18), and dix-neuf (19). Brilliant, right?
Twenty is "vingt" - and watch out because the 'gt' at the end is silent! This trips up loads of people, so remember it sounds like "van", not "vingt".
Now you need to learn the tens: vingt (20), trente (30), quarante (40), and cinquante (50). These are your next building blocks for making bigger numbers.
Remember: The teens from 11-16 are weird, but 17-19 follow the "dix-" pattern. After that, it's all about combining tens with units!
The Two Golden Rules for Making Numbers
Right, this is the game-changer! There are only two rules you need to make any number up to 50, and they're dead simple once you get them.
Rule 1: Numbers ending in 1 use "et un" (meaning "and one"). So 21 becomes vingt et un, 31 becomes trente et un, and 41 becomes quarante et un. Notice there's no hyphen here - just the words flowing together.
Rule 2: All other numbers use a hyphen between the ten and the unit. So 22 is vingt-deux, 35 is trente-cinq, and 48 is quarante-huit. The hyphen keeps everything tidy!
Memory Trick: If it ends in 1, think "and one" (et un). If it ends in anything else, think "hyphen time"!
Using Numbers in Real French Sentences
Time to put these numbers to work! Saying your age is probably the most useful thing you'll do with French numbers. The question "Quel âge as-tu?" means "How old are you?"
Your answer always starts with "J'ai" (I have) followed by the number and "ans" (years). So if you're 12, you'd say "J'ai douze ans." Easy!
Counting objects works similarly. "J'ai trois chats" means "I have three cats." For bigger groups, like "There are twenty-five students in the class," you'd say "Il y a vingt-cinq élèves dans la classe." Notice that hyphen in vingt-cinq!
When you're writing out numbers, just think through the process: Is it in the twenties, thirties, or forties? Does it end in 1 (use et un) or something else (use a hyphen)?
Practice Tip: Try saying your real age, your family members' ages, and count objects around your room. The more you use these numbers, the more automatic they become!
Quick Review and Test Prep
Master the foundation first: numbers 1-16 are your absolute essentials. If you know these cold, you can build everything else. The pattern for 17-19 is your bridge to the bigger numbers.
Don't forget the silent letters! The 't' in vingt is usually silent - it sounds like "van", not "vingt". This catches out loads of students in speaking tests.
Practice the two rules until they're automatic: "et un" for numbers ending in 1 (no hyphen), and hyphens for everything else. Try making random numbers like 23, 37, or 44 and see if you can write them out correctly.
The brilliant thing about French numbers is that once you've cracked this system up to 50, you've basically got the pattern for counting much higher too!
Final Check: Can you write your age in French? Can you count to 20 without looking? If yes, you're absolutely ready for that test!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Master French Numbers: Count from 1 to 50
Learning French numbers might seem tricky at first, but it's actually quite brilliant once you spot the patterns! You'll use these numbers constantly - for your age, buying things, or talking about your family - so getting them right is... Show more
Getting Started with French Numbers 1-20
French numbers from 1-10 are completely unique words that you'll need to memorise properly. Think of them as your building blocks - once you've got these down, everything else becomes much easier!
The key ones to nail first are: un (1), deux (2), trois (3), quatre (4), cinq (5), six (6), sept (7), huit (8), neuf (9), and dix (10). Don't worry about perfect pronunciation yet - just get familiar with how they look.
Numbers 11-16 are special cases that you'll have to learn separately: onze, douze, treize, quatorze, quinze, seize. There's no pattern here, so it's just memorisation time!
Quick Tip: Practice writing out numbers 1-16 from memory. Once you can do this without looking, you're ready for the clever bit that comes next!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
The Clever Pattern from 17-20 and Beyond
Here's where French gets really smart! Numbers 17-19 follow a simple pattern: they're literally "ten-seven", "ten-eight", "ten-nine". So you get dix-sept (17), dix-huit (18), and dix-neuf (19). Brilliant, right?
Twenty is "vingt" - and watch out because the 'gt' at the end is silent! This trips up loads of people, so remember it sounds like "van", not "vingt".
Now you need to learn the tens: vingt (20), trente (30), quarante (40), and cinquante (50). These are your next building blocks for making bigger numbers.
Remember: The teens from 11-16 are weird, but 17-19 follow the "dix-" pattern. After that, it's all about combining tens with units!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
The Two Golden Rules for Making Numbers
Right, this is the game-changer! There are only two rules you need to make any number up to 50, and they're dead simple once you get them.
Rule 1: Numbers ending in 1 use "et un" (meaning "and one"). So 21 becomes vingt et un, 31 becomes trente et un, and 41 becomes quarante et un. Notice there's no hyphen here - just the words flowing together.
Rule 2: All other numbers use a hyphen between the ten and the unit. So 22 is vingt-deux, 35 is trente-cinq, and 48 is quarante-huit. The hyphen keeps everything tidy!
Memory Trick: If it ends in 1, think "and one" (et un). If it ends in anything else, think "hyphen time"!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Using Numbers in Real French Sentences
Time to put these numbers to work! Saying your age is probably the most useful thing you'll do with French numbers. The question "Quel âge as-tu?" means "How old are you?"
Your answer always starts with "J'ai" (I have) followed by the number and "ans" (years). So if you're 12, you'd say "J'ai douze ans." Easy!
Counting objects works similarly. "J'ai trois chats" means "I have three cats." For bigger groups, like "There are twenty-five students in the class," you'd say "Il y a vingt-cinq élèves dans la classe." Notice that hyphen in vingt-cinq!
When you're writing out numbers, just think through the process: Is it in the twenties, thirties, or forties? Does it end in 1 (use et un) or something else (use a hyphen)?
Practice Tip: Try saying your real age, your family members' ages, and count objects around your room. The more you use these numbers, the more automatic they become!
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
Quick Review and Test Prep
Master the foundation first: numbers 1-16 are your absolute essentials. If you know these cold, you can build everything else. The pattern for 17-19 is your bridge to the bigger numbers.
Don't forget the silent letters! The 't' in vingt is usually silent - it sounds like "van", not "vingt". This catches out loads of students in speaking tests.
Practice the two rules until they're automatic: "et un" for numbers ending in 1 (no hyphen), and hyphens for everything else. Try making random numbers like 23, 37, or 44 and see if you can write them out correctly.
The brilliant thing about French numbers is that once you've cracked this system up to 50, you've basically got the pattern for counting much higher too!
Final Check: Can you write your age in French? Can you count to 20 without looking? If yes, you're absolutely ready for that test!
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
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4.6/5
App Store
4.7/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE Knowunity AI. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user