French people say "80" as quatre-vingt.
The Unique Way to Say 80 in French
In French, the number 80 is expressed as quatre-vingt (pronounced kat-ruh-vin). This literally translates to "four-twenty," reflecting a fascinating aspect of the French numerical system that uses a base-20 (vigesimal) structure for certain numbers.
Understanding "Quatre-Vingt"
Unlike many other languages that have a unique word for 80, French builds this number by multiplying four by twenty. This vigesimal system is also observed in other European languages, such as Danish, and has historical roots, likely stemming from counting on fingers and toes.
For example:
- Quatre means "four"
- Vingt means "twenty"
- Combined, quatre-vingt signifies 4 x 20 = 80.
It's crucial to note that "quatre-vingt" is typically written with a hyphen when it stands alone or is followed by another number, but the "s" on "vingt" is dropped when it's followed by another number (e.g., quatre-vingts euros vs. quatre-vingt-un).
Counting Beyond 80
The pattern of "quatre-vingt" extends to subsequent numbers in the eighties. You simply add the desired digit after "quatre-vingt," usually with a hyphen.
Here's how some numbers in the eighties are formed:
| Numeral | In French | Pronunciation (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 80 | quatre-vingt | kat-ruh-vin |
| 81 | quatre-vingt-un | kat-ruh-vin-uhn |
| 82 | quatre-vingt-deux | kat-ruh-vin-duh |
| 83 | quatre-vingt-trois | kat-ruh-vin-trwah |
Practical Insights for Learners
- Memorization Tip: Instead of trying to find a direct English equivalent, think of "quatre-vingt" as a fixed phrase for 80.
- No "Et Un": Unlike numbers like 71 (soixante-et-un), numbers like 81 (
quatre-vingt-un) do not use "et un." - Context is Key: While "quatre-vingt" is the standard for 80, some French-speaking regions, particularly in Switzerland and Belgium, might use alternative terms like huitante for 80, nonante for 90, and septante for 70. However, quatre-vingt is universally understood and is the standard in France.
Understanding this unique numerical construction is a key step in mastering French numbers and gaining deeper insight into the language's structure. For more on French numbers, you can explore resources like Busuu's guide to counting from 1 to 100.
