Alternative Numbers

steven l.B1Kwiziq Q&A regular contributor

Alternative Numbers

Just a fun fact for those who might not know - A lot of Swiss and Belgians will use septante (70), huitante (80) and nonante (90) to replace soixante-dix, quatre-vingts and quatre-vingt-dix

This question relates to:French lesson "Expressing numbers 70 to 999 in French"

Asked 6 years ago

Like1Answer2

CécileKwiziq Native French TeacherCorrect answer

Hi Steven,

Your will hear 'octante' also for 80 (quatre-vingt) and a combination of all in Belgium and certain cantons of Switzerland but I believe time are changing...

However, what is certain and that these numbers are very amusing to French ears!

Hope this helps!

Like16 years ago

Chris W.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Steven,

that would really make a lot of sense. The number 99 being represented in French as : 4 times 20 plus 19 (quatre-vingt-dix-neuf) requires some getting used to.

-- Chris.

Like16 years ago

steven l. asked:

Alternative Numbers

Just a fun fact for those who might not know - A lot of Swiss and Belgians will use septante (70), huitante (80) and nonante (90) to replace soixante-dix, quatre-vingts and quatre-vingt-dix

Don't have an account yet? Join today

« Je me demande, n'est-ce pas la même chose en anglais?L'ancienne pronociation »

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level