Introduction:
French is a beautiful language that has been spoken for centuries. One of the unique features of French is its use of numbering system. In this article, we will explore how to read the numbers in French in English.
Body:
1. Cardinal numbers:
Cardinal numbers are the basic numbers used to count objects. In French, numbers from 1 to 10 are unique and have their own names. For example, "un" means one, "deux" means two, "trois" means three, and so on. When reading these numbers in English, they are pronounced as they are written.
2. Teens and multiples of 10:
Numbers 11-16 in French are written as a combination of the words ten (dix) and the unique numbers one through six. For example, "onze" means eleven and is a combination of "dix" and "un". The same goes for numbers from 17 to 19. Multiples of 10 are also combinations of the words for the tens and units. For example, "quarante" means forty and "cinquante" means fifty.
3. Ordinal numbers:
Ordinal numbers are used to indicate the order of something. In French, ordinal numbers are formed by adding "ième" to the cardinal number. For example, "premier" means first, "deuxième" means second, "troisième" means third, and so on.
4. Dates and time:
When reading dates or time in French, the day and month are read as cardinal numbers, while the year is read in groups of two digits. For example, "le vingt-et-un juillet deux mille vingt et un" means July 21st, 2021. Time is also read in a similar fashion, using the cardinal numbers for the hour and minute.
Conclusion:
French numbering system may seem intimidating at first, but with practice, it becomes easier to understand and use. Understanding French numbers can be helpful for travel, business, and communication with French speakers. It is important to note that the French numbering system varies slightly from other languages, and therefore, it is essential to take time and learn it correctly.