French Numbers, Prices and Shopping Phrases
French numbers become practical when you connect them to prices, times, dates, quantities, sizes, and phone numbers. Train them in short contrasts—especially 16 and 60, or 70, 80, and 90—then use them in complete shopping exchanges.
Numbers that need attention
| French | Meaning / use |
|---|---|
| seize | 16 |
| soixante | 60 |
| soixante-dix | 70 |
| soixante et onze | 71 |
| quatre-vingts | 80 |
| quatre-vingt-un | 81 |
| quatre-vingt-dix | 90 |
| cent | 100 |
| deux cents | 200 |
| mille | 1,000 |
Belgium and Switzerland often use regional forms such as septante and nonante. Listen for the local system instead of treating one as incorrect.
Shopping phrases
| French | Meaning / use |
|---|---|
| Combien ça coûte ? | How much is it? |
| Ça fait combien ? | How much is that? |
| Je peux l'essayer ? | Can I try it on? |
| Vous l'avez en plus grand ? | Do you have it larger? |
| Je cherche … | I'm looking for … |
| Je vais prendre celui-ci | I'll take this one |
| Puis-je payer par carte ? | Can I pay by card? |
| Je peux avoir un reçu ? | Can I have a receipt? |
| Je voudrais l'échanger | I'd like to exchange it |
| C'est en promotion ? | Is it on sale? |
Buying a jacket
Client: Bonjour, je peux essayer cette veste ?
Vendeuse: Bien sûr. Quelle taille vous faut-il ?
Client: Du quarante. Vous l'avez en bleu ?
Vendeuse: Oui. Elle coûte quatre-vingt-dix-neuf euros.
Client: D'accord, je vais la prendre.
Practice
- Read random prices aloud.
- Dictate phone numbers in pairs.
- Ask for three sizes and two colors.
- Confirm the total before paying.
- Practice dates and departure times.
FAQ
Why is 80 plural in spelling?
Quatre-vingts takes an s when it ends the number, but loses it before another number, as in quatre-vingt-un.
Keep learning
- Practice next: French numbers
- Practice next: French shopping vocabulary
- Practice next: French travel
- Practice next: French pronunciation
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