French numbers 70 to 99 explained
Vocalyra teaching team · Last updated:
Counting to 69 in French is regular. From 70 the system switches to additions and multiples of twenty, and that is where learners slow down, especially when listening to phone numbers and prices.
The logic behind 70, 80 and 90
In standard French, 70 is soixante-dix, literally sixty-ten. 80 is quatre-vingts, four twenties. 90 is quatre-vingt-dix, four twenties and ten. Once you see that the numbers from 70 to 79 reuse 10 to 19, and the numbers from 90 to 99 do the same on top of 80, the whole range becomes predictable.
| Number | French | Logic |
|---|---|---|
| 70 | soixante-dix | 60 + 10 |
| 71 | soixante et onze | 60 + 11 |
| 75 | soixante-quinze | 60 + 15 |
| 80 | quatre-vingts | 4 × 20 |
| 81 | quatre-vingt-un | 4 × 20 + 1 |
| 90 | quatre-vingt-dix | 4 × 20 + 10 |
| 91 | quatre-vingt-onze | 4 × 20 + 11 |
| 99 | quatre-vingt-dix-neuf | 4 × 20 + 19 |
Spelling rules that trip people up
- Quatre-vingts takes an s only when nothing follows it: quatre-vingts euros, but quatre-vingt-trois euros.
- Et appears in 71 (soixante et onze) but not in 81 or 91: quatre-vingt-un, quatre-vingt-onze.
- Since the 1990 spelling reform, hyphens may link every part of a compound number: soixante-et-onze. Both spellings are accepted.
- In quatre-vingt-un, the t of vingt is not pronounced, while in vingt et un it is.
Belgium and Switzerland
Belgian and Swiss French use septante for 70 and nonante for 90. In parts of Switzerland you also hear huitante for 80. You will be understood with the standard forms everywhere, but recognising these words helps when you listen to speakers from those countries.
Listening strategy for phone numbers and prices
French phone numbers are read in pairs, so 06 78 92 15 40 becomes zéro six, soixante-dix-huit, quatre-vingt-douze, quinze, quarante. When you hear soixante or quatre-vingt, wait for the next word before writing anything down. Write the result only once the number is complete.
Quick self-check
Write 77 in French.
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Soixante-dix-sept.
Is it quatre-vingt or quatre-vingts in 80 euros?
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Quatre-vingts euros, with s, because nothing follows vingt.
What number is quatre-vingt-quatorze?
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94 (4 × 20 + 14).
How would a Belgian speaker usually say 90?
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Nonante.