Numbers 11–31
Today's goal: say and write numbers from 11 to 31 in French, and use them in J'ai ___ ans to state your age.
The numbers in three groups
Learn one group at a time — then put them all together.
- 11 onze
- 12 douze
- 13 treize
- 14 quatorze
- 15 quinze
- 16 seize
- 17 dix-sept 10+7
- 18 dix-huit 10+8
- 19 dix-neuf 10+9
- 20 vingt
- 21 vingt et un
- 22 vingt-deux
- 25 vingt-cinq
- 30 trente
- 31 trente et un
Note: 17–19 are not in today's core 10, but you will see them in the exercises. They follow the same dix + number pattern — easy once you know it.
How French numbers are built
11 to 16 have no pattern — learn them as individual words, like you learnt 1–10.
17 = dix-sept (ten-seven), 18 = dix-huit (ten-eight), 19 = dix-neuf (ten-nine).
21 = vingt et un, 22 = vingt-deux… 30 = trente, 31 = trente et un.
The et only appears in 21 and 31 — not in 22, 23, etc.
Key pattern: J'ai ___ ans.
J'ai onze ans. = I am 11 years old.
J'ai vingt-cinq ans. = I am 25 years old.
Warm-Up
Do this on paper before anything else.
Write on paper
- Write Group 1 (11–16) in a column: numeral on the left, French word on the right. Then cover and write from memory.
- Write the pattern: dix-sept, dix-huit, dix-neuf — 3 times each. Say them as you write.
- Write vingt, vingt et un, vingt-deux — 3 times each.
- Write trente, trente et un — 3 times each.
- Write your age: J'ai ___ ans. — 3 times with your real age.
- Write a classmate's age: Il/Elle a ___ ans. — 2 times.
Tip: count aloud from 11 to 20 without stopping — rhythm locks in the order.
Say it aloud
Count in each group, then count straight from 11 to 31.
The Number Line: 11 → 31
Three colour zones show the three groups. The pattern changes at 17 and again at 20.
Practice
Print and do these on paper first. Then repeat on screen.
Listen & select
Press Play to hear a number. Choose the correct French word.
Which number do you hear?
Which number do you hear?
Which number do you hear?
Which number do you hear?
Which number do you hear?
Which number do you hear?
Match the number to its word
Tap a numeral, then tap the French word that matches it.
Quick Check
Choose the correct answer.
1. How do you say 12 in French?
2. Which number comes after quinze?
3. How do you build the number 17 in French?
4. "J'ai vingt et un ans." How old is this person?
5. Which sentence means "I am 13 years old"?
6. In French, et only appears in two numbers between 21 and 31. Which two?
7. What is vingt + onze in French?
8. Which group do the numbers 17, 18 and 19 belong to?
Write it yourself
Write the French number word or full sentence from memory. Try without looking at the reference — check only if you are stuck.
1. Write the French word for 14.
2. Write the French word for 21.
3. Write the full sentence: I am 11 years old.
4. Write the full sentence: I am 25 years old.
Speaking Practice
Practise on your own while your teacher speaks with another student.
Count and use the pattern
- Count from 11 to 20 out loud — twice.
- Count from 20 to 31 out loud — twice.
- Count all the way from 1 to 31 without stopping.
- Say your own age: J'ai ___ ans.
- Say the age of someone in your family: Il/Elle a ___ ans.
- Ask your neighbour: Tu as quel âge ? (How old are you?)
Look ahead: in Lesson 10 you will use your age with feelings — J'ai dix ans et je suis content(e).
Audio practice
Press Play for each number. Listen, then try to write the word in your Writing Space. Check the number groups if you need help.
11 — onze
12 — douze
13 — treize
14 — quatorze
15 — quinze
16 — seize
20 — vingt
21 — vingt et un
30 — trente
31 — trente et un
Game Time
Match each numeral to its French word — 10 pairs. When you find a match, say J'ai ___ ans using that number out loud.