French for Beginners: Lesson 2 – French Numbers from 1 to 20
Welcome to Lesson 2! Today, we will learn how to count from 1 to 20 in French. Numbers are fundamental in any language, and in French, they have their unique pronunciation and structure. Let’s get started!
✚ Objectives:
- Learn to count from 1 to 20 in French.
- Practice pronunciation of French numbers.
- Understand the basic structure of French numbers.
Listen and repeat the French numbers from 1 to 20:
1. French Numbers from 1 to 10
First, let’s learn numbers from 1 to 10.
| French Number | Phonetic Spelling (English) | IPA | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| un | uhn | œ̃ | One |
| deux | duhr | dø | Two |
| trois | trwah | tʁwɑ | Three |
| quatre | katr | katʁ | Four |
| cinq | sank | sɛ̃k | Five |
| six | sees | sis | Six |
| sept | set | sɛt | Seven |
| huit | weet | ɥit | Eight |
| neuf | nuhf | nœf | Nine |
| dix | dees | dis | Ten |
📌 Pronunciation Tips:
Pay attention to the nasal sounds in numbers like “un” and “neuf”.
The final consonants in “six” and “dix” are pronounced, unlike in some other words.
2. French Numbers from 11 to 20
Now, let’s move on to the numbers from 11 to 20.
| French Number | Phonetic Spelling (English) | IPA | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| onze | ohnz | ɔ̃z | Eleven |
| douze | dooz | duz | Twelve |
| treize | trehz | tʁɛz | Thirteen |
| quatorze | kat-ORZ | katɔʁz | Fourteen |
| quinze | kanz | kɛ̃z | Fifteen |
| seize | sayz | sɛz | Sixteen |
| dix-sept | dees-set | dis.sɛt | Seventeen |
| dix-huit | dees-weet | di.z‿ɥit | Eighteen |
| dix-neuf | dees-nuhf | di.z‿nœf | Nineteen |
| vingt | van | vɛ̃ | Twenty |
Practice Exercise
To practice, try to count from 1 to 20 in French, then backwards from 20 to 1. Repeat this exercise until you feel comfortable with these numbers.
Real-Life Application
Numbers are everywhere! Try to notice and think about numbers in your daily life in French. For example, when you see the time, try to say it in French.
Conclusion
Great job on completing Lesson 2! Numbers are essential in many aspects of daily life, from telling time to shopping. Keep practicing, and you’ll get more comfortable with them. In the next lesson, we’ll learn about days of the week and months of the year. À bientôt!