Count Like a Parisian: Numbers 1–20 in French!

Imagine you are at a French market. The seller holds up a bag of oranges and says 'seize!' You have no idea what that means — but it is a number! French people use completely different words for numbers, and once you know them, a whole new world opens up. Quick challenge: count aloud from 1 to 20 in English as fast as you can. Now get ready to do the same thing… in French!

In French, the word for 'numbers' is 'les nombres' (say it: lay nom-bruh). Let's learn them in four groups — it makes them easier to remember. **Group 1 — 1 to 10 (the foundation):** 1 = un (say: uh) 2 = deux (say: duh) 3 = trois (say: trwah) 4 = quatre (say: kah-truh) 5 = cinq (say: sank) 6 = six (say: sees) 7 = sept (say: set) 8 = huit (say: weet) 9 = neuf (say: nuhf) 10 = dix (say: dees) Tip: These ten words are the building blocks. Learn them well! **Group 2 — 11 to 16 (new words):** 11 = onze (say: onz) 12 = douze (say: dooz) 13 = treize (say: trez) 14 = quatorze (say: kah-torz) 15 = quinze (say: kanz) 16 = seize (say: sez) These six numbers have their own special words, just like English has 'eleven' and 'twelve' instead of 'oneteen' or 'twoteen'. **Group 3 — 17 to 19 (built from two parts):** Here is where French gets clever! These numbers are built by adding smaller numbers together: 17 = dix-sept (say: dee-set) — this literally means 'ten-seven' (10 + 7) 18 = dix-huit (say: dee-weet) — 'ten-eight' (10 + 8) 19 = dix-neuf (say: dee-nuhf) — 'ten-nine' (10 + 9) **Group 4 — 20:** 20 = vingt (say: van) Vingt is a completely new word. Say it with a soft 'n' — almost like 'van' in English.