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
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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
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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
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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

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