numbers above 100

Question

If I have to say 80 or so, What expression should I use? Also, If I have to say 500 or so, and 1000 or so, What shoud I use?

Accepted Answer

Hi Jiamu,
You won't hear -
une quatre-vingtaine de personnes
in France, you might have to say something like -
environ quatre- vingts personnes
Huitantaine might be used by our Swiss and Belgian friends.
I hope this helps!

Answer

You could say une quatre-vingtaine. In Suisse you use une huitantaine.

Answer

On peut dire "environ cent cinquante" to cite just one example. We are not limited to 'AINE words. However, I think we are obliged to use "AINE" words where they are available. It would be weird to say "environ dix personnes" when une dizaine is available.

Answer

I would use  when there is no -AINE word handy: il y avait environ quatre-vingts personnes dans la foule. Keep in mind that about is  when talking about time: je serai au cinéma vers vingt heures trente. I think a leçon about "about" would do well to include ENVIRON and VERS options.