One is un (ahn). Two is deux (deuh). Three is trois (twah). Four is quatre (katr). Five is cinq (sank).
Six is six (seese). Seven is sept (set). Eight is huit (wheet). Nine is neuf (nurf). Ten is dix (deese).
If you’re having a hard time remembering all the number words or putting them in the right order, search online for French counting songs for children. The melody may help you remember, just as you may have used counting songs to help you learn English.
You also may be able to learn to squeeze your nostrils together slightly as you pronounce the word, similar to the way you would tighten them as you inhaled.
Start by opening your mouth and making an oh sound. Draw out the sound until your lips are flatter, like they would be if you were making a w sound. Purse your lips together and make an eee sound. This approximates the French u. You may have to practice this exercise several times a day for several weeks before it starts coming naturally. Distinguish the French u from the French ou sound. While they are similar, you must be able to tell them apart if you want to pronounce French words correctly. The French ou sound is similar to the same ou sound in English.
You can practice just by saying “rah rah rah,” or try the French word ronronner, which means “to purr. "
This is especially important with words such as zéro and six that look like English words, but it is also important with others that are pronounced radically different in French. For example, if you saw the word deux, you might sound it out from the letters as “ducks. " To practice, make yourself flash cards with only the numeral on it, not the French word spelled out.
Listening to French music can help as well, particularly slower songs so you can hear the syllables distinctly. Don’t worry if you don’t understand the words at this point. You’re just listening to the pronunciation, not trying to understand what’s being said.
Create the feminine form by adding an e to the end: une (oon). For example, you might say “J’ai une chaise,” or “I have one chair. " If you’re not sure whether a word is feminine or masculine, look at the ending. Some endings, such as -ée or -enne, are always feminine. Other endings, such as -ent or -il, are masculine. [11] X Research source
For example, if you were saying “ten minutes” in French, you would say “dix minutes,” but it would be pronounced dee min-OOT.
