Numbers, Dates & Time in French
When do we use numbers in French?
In French, as in most languages, we use digits and numbers in a wide variety of situations. Whether it is an exact quantity, a birthday date, or a meeting time, numbers allow us to convey precise information about quantity and time.
- Example:
- 500 g de farine500 g of flour
- le 3 décembre 1996December 3, 1996
- douze heures trente-quatretwelve thirty-four
You will find below many explanations about numbers, dates, and time. By following the links to each article, you will find more detailed explanations as well as numerous exercises.
Contents
Cardinal numbers
Cardinal numbers are natural whole numbers. We use them to indicate a quantity, perform calculations, and much more.
- Example:
- 7 – sept
- 22 – vingt-deux
- 150 – cent-cinquante
Cardinal numbers are commonly grouped into tens, hundreds, thousands, or millions.
- Example:
- Une dizaine d’œufs.A dozen eggs.
- Des centaines de manifestants.Hundreds of demonstrators.
- Il a gagné des millions d’euros.He won millions of euros.
In our article on cardinal numbers, you will find all the necessary rules to write and pronounce them correctly, as well as numerous exercises.
Ordinal numbers
Ordinal numbers are used to place a noun in a specific order.
- Example:
- 1er – premierfirst
- 2ème – deuxièmesecond
- 10ème – dixièmetenth
Beware of exceptions: certain forms change when referring to dates or titles.
- Example:
- 02.08.2004
- in French, we say “le deux août”, not “le deuxième”
- Louis XIV
- in French, we say “Louis quatorze”, not “le quatorzième”
Learn how to form ordinal numbers, including the exceptions, in our article, then practise with the exercises.
Fractions
Fractions are used to refer to a part of a whole. They are not only found in mathematics but also in everyday life, for example in a cooking recipe.
- Example:
- une heure et demie
- 1/2 kg de viande
- written as: un demi kilo (half a kilo)
Learn more about how to write fractions and their particularities in our article, which is accompanied by exercises.
Dates, days & months
In French, the rule is simple:
-
for the first day of the month, an ordinal number is used: premier
- Example:
- le premier avrilthe first of April
-
for all other days, a cardinal number is used
- Example:
- le deux maithe second of May
- le cinq septembrethe fifth of September
- le douze novembrethe twelfth of November
Visit our article on dates, days and months in French to learn more; you will find exercises at the bottom of the page.
Time
In French, to state the time correctly, we need to know whether the context is formal or informal.
- Example:
- L’avion décollera à dix-huit heures trente-cinq. (formal)The plane will take off at eighteen thirty-five.
- Venez chez moi ce soir vers sept heures et demi. (informal)Come to my place this evening around half past seven.
In our article on telling the time, you will find everything you need to read and tell the time, as well as many exercises at the bottom of the page to practise.
Learn more about numbers, dates and time
You’ll find here the links to each article, along with a variety of practice exercises:
