How to Count in French

Learning to count from 1 to 10 in French is one of the first and most essential steps when studying the language. Numbers are used constantly in daily life, from telling time and giving your age to shopping and ordering food in a café.

In French, numbers are generally straightforward, but they do have some unique pronunciation rules depending on the words that follow them. For example, the final consonants in numbers like six (6) and dix (10) are usually silent, but they are pronounced if the following word begins with a vowel (this is called a liaison).

Practice counting aloud: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq, six, sept, huit, neuf, dix. Once you master these first ten digits, you will have the foundation needed to build larger numbers and navigate basic conversations in French-speaking countries.

Pronunciation Tips

French pronunciation can be tricky for beginners due to nasal vowels and silent letters. Here are some key tips for numbers 1-10:

• Un (1): This is a nasal vowel. Try saying "uh" while pushing the air through your nose.
• Deux (2): The 'x' is silent. The 'eu' sound is similar to the 'u' in the English word "surf" but with rounded lips.
• Trois (3): The 's' is silent. The 'oi' makes a "wah" sound.
• Quatre (4): The 'qu' sounds like a hard 'k'. The 're' at the end is very soft, almost swallowed.
• Cinq (5): The 'in' is a nasal sound, and the 'q' is pronounced like a 'k'.
• Six (6) & Dix (10): When counting alone, pronounce the 'x' like an 's' (sees, dees). If followed by a consonant, the 'x' is silent.
• Sept (7): The 'p' is completely silent. Pronounce it like the English word "set".
• Huit (8): The 'h' is silent. It sounds like "weet".