80 in French
Table of contents
In French, the number 80 is expressed as quatre-vingts, which literally translates to "four twenties." This unique way of counting reflects the historical influence of the Celtic vigesimal (base-20) number system on the French language. Unlike some other numbers, there are no formal or informal variations for expressing 80 in French.
Understanding quatre-vingts
The French number system can be a bit tricky for English speakers, especially when it comes to larger numbers. Let's break down quatre-vingts:
- Quatre means "four"
- Vingts means "twenties"
So, quatre-vingts is essentially "four twenties," which equals 80. 🧮
Here's a quick reference table:
| English | French | Pronunciation (IPA) |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | quatre-vingts | /katʁə vɛ̃/ |
Usage in context
To help you get comfortable with using quatre-vingts, here are some examples:
- "I'm 80 years old." - J'ai quatre-vingts ans.
- "The book costs 80 euros." - Le livre coûte quatre-vingts euros.
- "There are 80 students in the class." - Il y a quatre-vingts élèves dans la classe.
A quirk to remember
Interestingly, when quatre-vingts is followed by another number, it loses its final 's'. For example:
- 81: quatre-vingt-un
- 82: quatre-vingt-deux
- 99: quatre-vingt-dix-neuf
This peculiarity is important to remember when counting beyond 80 in French. 🇫🇷
By mastering quatre-vingts and understanding its usage, you'll be one step closer to confidently expressing numbers in French. Keep practicing, and soon it will become second nature!
