Les Chiffres
Numbers 1–20

Numbers 11–16 follow a unique pattern ending in -ze:

✅ onze [ONZ], douze [DOOZ], treize [TREZ], quatorze [ka-TORZ], quinze [KANZ], seize [SEZ]

💡 These must be memorized — they don't follow a simple pattern like in English (eleven, twelve...).

17, 18, 19 are 10 + 7, 10 + 8, 10 + 9:

✅ dix-sept = dix (10) + sept (7) = 17

✅ dix-huit = dix (10) + huit (8) = 18

✅ dix-neuf = dix (10) + neuf (9) = 19

💡 This compound pattern continues: 70 = soixante-dix (60+10), 80 = quatre-vingts (4×20)!

The number 1 changes based on gender:

✅ un chien (one dog — masculine)

✅ une chatte (one cat — feminine)

✅ All other numbers stay the same regardless of gender.

Some numbers have tricky pronunciation:

✅ cinq [SANK] — the "q" is silent

✅ six [SEES] alone, but [SIS] before consonant, [SEE-Z] before vowel

✅ dix [DEES] alone, but [DIZ] before vowels

✅ vingt [VAN] — the "gt" is silent