Why are French numbers different?
Originally Answered: Why is the French number system so different from the others? It goes back to the base 20 or vigesimal system. Hundred is divided into 5 times 20 such as in 4-20 (quatre-vingt or eighty) and intermediate numbers are set by adding 10 as in quatre-vingt-dix (ninety).
Why is the French counting system so weird?
To make things more difficult, large numbers in French are generally spoken as a whole rather than broken down into digits. Phone numbers in France are said in pairs, so someone might tell you their number is zero six, trente-et-un, quatre-vingt-dix etc.
Are French numbers different?
Language overview Canadian French, Belgian French or Swiss French to name a few have different pronunciation, some vernacular vocabulary, and they may also differ in some gramatical rules. Their numbering rules are the same nonetheless, even if some numbers are different.
How are numbers written differently in French?
French Numerals Are Composed with a Conjunction (More Often than In English) In English, we don’t say twenty-and-one; we simplify it to twenty-one. After 100, we use the conjunction in some cases (one hundred and one or fifteen thousand and sixteen, for example).
How does the French number system work?
In most French-speaking countries, there is no word for 70, 80, and 90. Instead, for the numbers 70 to 79, combine the tens with the tens. For numbers 90 to 99, combine the number 4, the number 20, and the tens. For example, 90 is four 20s plus 10, 91 is four 20s plus 11, and so forth.
Why do French say four twenty?
“four-twenties”; quatre-vingt-dix “90” lit. “four-twenty-ten”) is due to North Germanic influence, first appearing in Normandy, in northern France. From there, it spread south after the formation of the French Republic, replacing the typical Romance forms still used today in Belgian and Swiss French.
Does French have a word for 80?
French Numbers: 80-89 Likewise, there’s no word for “eighty” in standard French. * The French say quatre-vingts, literally four-twenties. ** So 81 is quatre-vingt-un (four-twenty-one), 82 is quatre-vingt-deux (four-twenty-two), etc.
How do you say 99 in French?
The French translation for “99 (ninety-nine)” is quatre-vingt-dix-neuf. The French, quatre-vingt-dix-neuf, can be broken down into 2 parts:”80 (eighty)” (quatre-vingts) and “19 (nineteen)” (dix-neuf).
What is the rule for French numbers?
French numbers are always invariable in their spelling, except: round number 80 → quatre-vingts (with a final S) number 100 when it is multiplied and not followed by another digit: 700 = 7×100 → sept cents (with a final S)
Why is French handwriting different?
This might explain why French handwriting retains its characteristic elegance: the classic writing instrument requires fewer lifts between letters and a more dexterous grip, resulting in a slanted cursive with looped letters.
How do French numbers work?
How do I say 17 in French?
17 = 10 + 7, dix-sept….Numbers in French: 1-20.
| Number | In French | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | dix-sept | dees set (equal emphasis) |
| 18 | dix-huit | dees wheet (equal emphasis) |
| 19 | dix-neuf | dees nuhf (equal emphasis) |
| 20 | vingt | van |
Why did the French change their numbers to decimals?
There doesn’t seem to be any logical explanation as to why the French only transformed part of their numbers into the decimal system while leaving some in the old vigesimal one, but that’s just the way it is, 70 is ‘soixante-dix’ (60+10), 80 is ‘quatre-vingts’ (4 x 20) and 90 is ‘quatre-vingt-dix’ (4 x 20 + 10). There is some good news here!
What is the French number system?
French numbers follow a pretty simple pattern. From 70 on, the numbers do not follow quite the same pattern, but they recycle numbers that you already know. It may be helpful to know that the French number system was originally based on the number 20, instead of 10 like our system. British numbers used a similar system.
Are French numbers easier to count than other languages?
If you got here while learning about Unusual ways to count in European languages, I have good news for you, French numbers are easier than Basque or Welsh numbers, however, they still have their bit of weirdness (at least in France and Québec).
What are the numbers from 1 to 20 in French?
The numbers or les numéros (pronunciation: lay NEW-may-ro) from 1 to 20 in French are: You probably noticed that the numbers 17, 18, and 19 are simple math problems: Next, you should learn the numbers by tens.