PrepMyFrench
PrepMyFrench
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.
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 examples.
Cardinal numbers are natural whole numbers. We use them to indicate a quantity, perform calculations, and much more.
7 – sept | 22 – vingt-deux | 150 – cent-cinquante
Cardinal numbers are commonly grouped into tens, hundreds, thousands, or millions.
Ordinal numbers are used to place a noun in a specific order.
1er – premier | 2ème – deuxième | 10ème – dixième
Beware of exceptions: certain forms change when referring to dates or titles. (e.g., "le deux août", not "le deuxième").
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.
une heure et demie | 1/2 kg de viande (un demi kilo)
In French, the rule is simple: for the first day of the month, an ordinal number is used (premier). For all other days, a cardinal number is used.
le premier avril | le deux mai | le douze novembre
In French, to state the time correctly, we need to know whether the context is formal or informal.
L'avion décollera à dix-huit heures trente-cinq. (formal)
Venez chez moi ce soir vers sept heures et demie. (informal)