French numbers from 1 to 10 aren’t always pronounced the same way depending if they are:
Some of them such as un – deux – trois, will take a liaison when the next word starts with a vowel. Others such as six and dix, will drop the last letter when pronounced if followed by a noun starting with a consonant.
It all comes down to what letter follow them and if they are pronounced alone or not. Don’t worry, only French numbers from 1 to 10 have specific pronunciation. Others are much easier to pronounce.
PDF of this lesson at the bottom of the page.
The number UN in French has two pronunciations. The pronunciation that we are going to see today is the one used in the North of France, including Paris.
The IPA for UN is /ɛ̃/ /ɛ̃/
When UN is followed by a consonant in French, it will be pronounced UN just like the number alone:
J’ai un lit
I have one bed
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a N sound:
J’ai un arbre = un Narbre
I have one tree
The number DEUX in French is pronounced as DEU without the X. The X is never pronounced at the end of French numbers.
The IPA for DEUX is /dø/ /ɛ̃/
When DEUX is followed by a consonant in French, nothing happens. The pronunciation stays the same as the pronunciation of the number alone.
Tu as deux tables
You have two tables
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a N sound:
Tu as deux enfants = deu Zenfants
You have two children
The number TROIS in French is pronounced as TROI without the S. The S will be pronounced as a Z sound when followed by a word starting with a vowel.
The IPA for TROIS is /tʁwa/ /ɛ̃/
When TROIS is followed by a consonant in French, nothing happens. The pronunciation stays the same as the pronunciation of the number alone.
Il a trois chats
He has three cats
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a Z sound:
Il a trois oranges = trois Zoranges
He has three oranges
The number QUATRE in French is the one with the most silent letters. The U after Q isn’t pronounced, as well as the final E.
The IPA for QUATRE is /katʁ//
When QUATRE is followed by a consonant in French, nothing happens. The pronunciation stays the same as the pronunciation of the number alone.
Elle a quatre téléphones
She has four phones
The pronunciation stays similar when followed by a vowel since quatre doesn’t end with a consonant. Therefore, no liaison is happening.
Elle a quatre idées
She has four ideas
The number CINQ in French is almost pronounced as it’s spelled. The letters IN are pronounced IN just like UN.
The IPA for CINQ is /sɛ̃k/ɛ̃/
When CINQ is followed by a consonant in French, the pronunciation stays the same as the pronunciation of CINQ alone.
On a cinq chiens
We have five dogs
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a K sound:
On a cinq ans = cin Kans
We are five years old
The number SIX in French is quit interesting since it can be pronounced three different ways. When pronounced alone, it’s pronounced as SIS. The X being pronounced as an S.
The IPA for SIX is /sis/ /ɛ̃/
When SIX is followed by a consonant in French, the final sound, which is S, is going to dropped.
Nous avons six bouteilles = si bouteilles
We have six bottles
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a Z sound this time:
Nous avons six enfants = si Zenfants
We have six children
The number SEPT in French is pronounced as SET without the P. The P is always silent in SEPT.
The IPA for SEPT is /sɛt/ /ɛ̃/
When SEPT is followed by a consonant in French, nothing happens. The pronunciation stays the same as the pronunciation of the number alone.
Vous avez sept maisons
You have seven houses
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a T sound:
Vous avez sept appartements = se Tappartements
You have seven apartments
The number HUIT in French is particular. The H is never pronounced but the final T is in this case.
The IPA for HUIT is /ɥit//
When HUIT is followed by a consonant in French, the final S, which is T is not pronounced:
Ils ont huit tasses = hui tasses
They have eight cups
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a T sound:
Ils ont huit ans = hui Tans
They are eight years old
The number NEUF in French is pronounced fully including the final F.
The IPA for NEUF is /nœf/ /ɛ̃/
When NEUF is followed by a consonant in French, nothing happens. The pronunciation stays the same as the pronunciation of the number alone.
Elles ont neuf paires de chaussures
They have nine pairs of shoes
When followed by a vowel, we are going to drop the F and add a liaison with a V sound:
Elles ont neuf ans = neu Vans
They are nine years old
The number DIX in French is pronounced as DIS without the X. The X is never pronounced at the end of French numbers.
The IPA for DIX is /dis/ /ɛ̃/
When SIX is followed by a consonant in French, the final sound, which is S, is going to dropped.
J’ai dix plantes = di plantes
I have ten plants
When followed by a vowel, we are going to add a liaison with a Z sound this time:
J’ai dix œufs = di Zœufs
I have ten eggs
Check out my French Pronunciation Course. It includes recordings and video lessons.
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If you prefer to watch a video lesson, you can watch this video.
