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Nombres approximatifs
Approximate numbers are very useful for talking about generalities, making estimates, and just flat-out guessing. English only has one approximate number, content to use "about" in front of cardinal numbers any time a guess is required.
In contrast, French has about a dozen approximate numbers, most of them formed by adding the feminine suffix –aine to the cardinal number, some of which undergo a minor spelling change.
Approximate French numbers
Cardinal | Approximate | Spelling | Notes | |
8 | huit | une huitaine | Usually means "about a week" | |
10 | dix | une dizaine | x to z | |
12 | douze | une douzaine | e dropped | A dozen |
15 | quinze | une quinzaine | e dropped | Often means "about two weeks" |
20 | vingt | une vingtaine | ||
30 | trente | une trentaine | e dropped | |
40 | quarante | une quarantaine | e dropped | |
50 | cinquante | une cinquantaine | e dropped | |
60 | soixante | une soixantaine | e dropped | |
100 | cent | une centaine |
The final approximate French number is completely different: un millier, meaning "about a thousand."
Grammatically, approximate numbers are used like expressions of quantity: they are joined to the nouns they modify with the preposition de.
Par exemple…
une dizaine de livres | about 10 books | |
une trentaine de villes | about 30 towns | |
une centaine d’arbres | about a hundred trees | |
un millier de maisons | about a thousand houses |
Some approximate numbers can be plural:
des dizaines de livres* | dozens of books* | |
des centaines d’arbres | hundreds of trees | |
des milliers de maisons | thousands of houses |
* Technically, dizaines means "tens," but idiomatically, in French we generally say dizaines while in English we say "dozens." However, if you’re using a specific number in front, then douzaine = dozen.
J’ai trois douzaines de stylos. | I have three dozen pens. |
Related lessons
More French Numbers
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