Language/French/Vocabulary/Cardinal-and-Ordinal-Numbers

◀️ Interrogation — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Time and Dates ▶️

French → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers

In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating world of cardinal and ordinal numbers in French. Understanding these numbers is essential as they form the backbone of communication, whether you're counting, organizing, or describing something in a sequence. Numbers are not just tools for quantification; they are also deeply woven into the fabric of French culture, from the way we celebrate birthdays to how we navigate the intricate world of French cuisine.

Why Learn Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers?

Cardinal numbers are the basic numbers we use to count: one, two, three, etc. Ordinal numbers, on the other hand, help us indicate positions or ranks: first, second, third, etc. Mastering these numbers will enhance your ability to engage in everyday conversations, read menus, understand dates, and much more.

In this lesson, we'll cover the following:

• An introduction to cardinal numbers

• An introduction to ordinal numbers

• Cultural insights related to numbers in French society

• Practice exercises with detailed explanations

So, let’s dive right in!

Cardinal Numbers

Cardinal numbers in French are quite straightforward. They are the numbers you use for counting. Here’s a quick overview of cardinal numbers from 0 to 20:

French	Pronunciation	English
zéro	zay-roh	zero
un	uh(n)	one
deux	duh	two
trois	trwah	three
quatre	ka-tr	four
cinq	sank	five
six	sees	six
sept	set	seven
huit	weet	eight
neuf	nuhf	nine
dix	dees	ten
onze	ohnz	eleven
douze	dooz	twelve
treize	trehz	thirteen
quatorze	kah-torz	fourteen
quinze	kanz	fifteen
seize	sez	sixteen
dix-sept	dees-set	seventeen
dix-huit	dees-wheet	eighteen
dix-neuf	dees-nuhf	nineteen
vingt	van	twenty

After twenty, the numbers follow a pattern:

• 21: vingt et un (van-tay uh(n))

• 22: vingt-deux (van duh)

• 30: trente (trawnt)

• 40: quarante (ka-ront)

• 50: cinquante (sank-ont)

• 60: soixante (swah-sont)

• 70: soixante-dix (swah-sont-dees)

• 80: quatre-vingts (ka-truh-van)

• 90: quatre-vingt-dix (ka-truh-van-dees)

Notice how numbers 70-99 are built upon 60 and 80. This structure can be tricky for beginners, but with practice, it becomes second nature!

Ordinal Numbers

Now let’s shift our focus to ordinal numbers. These numbers tell us the order of things. In French, ordinal numbers are typically formed by adding the suffix -ième to the cardinal number. Here’s a list of the first ten ordinal numbers:

French	Pronunciation	English
premier	pruh-myay	first
deuxième	dyoo-ziem	second
troisième	trwah-ziem	third
quatrième	ka-tree-ziem	fourth
cinquième	sank-yiem	fifth
sixième	sees-yiem	sixth
septième	set-yiem	seventh
huitième	weet-yiem	eighth
neuvième	nuhv-yiem	ninth
dixième	dee-ziem	tenth

For numbers beyond ten, the pattern continues similarly:

• 11th: onzième (on-ziem)

• 20th: vingtième (van-tyem)

• 30th: trentième (trawn-tyem)

• 100th: centième (sahn-tyem)

Note that when you have a compound ordinal number (like 21st), it is constructed as follows: vingt et unième (van-tay uh-nyehm).

Cultural Insights

In France, numbers play a significant role in everyday life. For example:

• Birthdays: The French celebrate birthdays with a cake, often featuring the number of the birthday as a decoration.

• Addresses: When looking for a house or an apartment, the number is crucial. "J'habite au 10 rue de la Paix" means "I live at 10 Peace Street."

• Prices: All prices in shops are expressed with numbers, and understanding them is vital for shopping.

Did you know that in French culture, the number 13 is often considered unlucky? This superstition is similar to some cultures that regard the number as ominous. On the other hand, the number 7 is seen as lucky!

Summary

In this lesson, we covered:

• The basics of cardinal numbers from 0 to 20 and their patterns beyond.

• An introduction to ordinal numbers and how they are formed.

• Cultural insights about the significance of numbers in French society.

As you continue your journey in learning French, mastering these numbers will enhance your fluency and confidence in everyday conversations.

Exercises

Here are ten exercises to reinforce your understanding of cardinal and ordinal numbers:

1. Translate the following cardinal numbers into French:

• 5

• 14

• 21

• 38

• 75

2. Write the ordinal numbers for the following positions:

• 3rd

• 8th

• 15th

• 22nd

• 100th

3. Fill in the blanks with the correct cardinal number:

• J'ai ____ pommes. (I have ___ apples.)

• Il y a ____ livres sur la table. (There are ___ books on the table.)

4. Translate these sentences into French:

• She is the first in her class.

• They live on the 5th floor.

5. Match the following cardinal numbers with their correct ordinal forms:

• 2

• 6

• 10

• 12

• 20

6. Convert these cardinal numbers to their ordinal counterparts:

• 4

• 19

• 30

• 50

• 99

7. Create sentences using both cardinal and ordinal numbers:

• Example: "I have three cats, and my first cat is black."

8. Write out the numbers from 1 to 10 in both cardinal and ordinal forms.

9. Choose 5 random numbers from a magazine or a book, translate them into French, and identify their ordinal forms.

10. Practice pronunciation: Record yourself reading the cardinal and ordinal numbers from 1 to 20 in French.

Solutions and Explanations

1. Answers for cardinal translations:

• 5: cinq

• 14: quatorze

• 21: vingt et un

• 38: trente-huit

• 75: soixante-quinze

2. Ordinal numbers:

• 3rd: troisième

• 8th: huitième

• 15th: quinzième

• 22nd: vingt-deuxième

• 100th: centième

3. Fill in the blanks:

• J'ai cinq pommes.

• Il y a quatre livres sur la table.

4. Sentences translated:

• Elle est la première de sa classe.

• Ils habitent au cinquième étage.

5. Matching exercise:

• 2 → deuxième

• 6 → sixième

• 10 → dixième

• 12 → douzième

• 20 → vingtième

6. Converted ordinal numbers:

• 4 → quatrième

• 19 → dix-neuvième

• 30 → trentième

• 50 → cinquantième

• 99 → quatre-vingt-dix-neuvième

7. Example sentences:

• I have three cats, and my first cat is black: J'ai trois chats, et mon premier chat est noir.

8. Cardinal and ordinal forms (1-10):

• 1: un / premier

• 2: deux / deuxième

• 3: trois / troisième

• 4: quatre / quatrième

• 5: cinq / cinquième

• 6: six / sixième

• 7: sept / septième

• 8: huit / huitième

• 9: neuf / neuvième

• 10: dix / dixième

9. Random numbers (example):

• 15: quinze → quinzième

• 23: vingt-trois → vingt-troisième

• 44: quarante-quatre → quarante-quatrième

• 67: soixante-sept → soixante-septième

• 82: quatre-vingt-deux → quatre-vingt-deuxième

10. Pronunciation practice: Recordings will vary; check clarity and accuracy.

As you continue your journey in learning French, remember that practice makes perfect. Use these exercises to reinforce your skills, and don't hesitate to revisit the lesson when needed. Bonne chance!

Table of Contents - French Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Alphabet and Pronunciation

• The French Alphabet
• French Vowels and Consonants
• French Accent Marks
• Introductions and Greetings

  ---

Nouns and Articles

• Gender and Number of Nouns
• Definite and Indefinite Articles
• Partitive Articles

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense of Regular Verbs
• Common Irregular Verbs
• Passé Composé
• Futur Proche

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Agreement of Adjectives
• Comparative and Superlative Adjectives
• Formation and Use of Adverbs

  ---

Negation and Interrogation

• Negation
• Interrogation

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Cardinal and Ordinal Numbers
• Time and Dates

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Romantic Relationships

  ---

Food and Drink

• Food and Eating Habits
• Beverages and Drinking Habits

  ---

Hobbies and Interests

• Sports and Fitness Activities
• Music and Entertainment

  ---

Geography and Travel

• Regions and Cities in France
• Transportation and Accommodation

  ---

French Culture and Arts

• French Cuisine and Gastronomy
• French Cinema and Literature

  ---

French History and Society

• Major Events in French History
• French Society and Lifestyle

Sources

• French Ordinal Numbers - Lawless French Vocabulary
• Appendix:French numbers - Wiktionary
• Ordinal Numbers in French

Other Lessons

• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Count from 1 to 10
• Family
• Beverages and Drinking Habits
• Nationalities
• Bird
• To Know
• Express Surprise
• 20 Vingts or Vingt
• Be Polite

◀️ Interrogation — Previous Lesson

Next Lesson — Time and Dates ▶️