When learning a new language, knowing how to talk about numbers is very helpful. In French, understanding how to say “percent” is important because we often use it in daily life. Whether you’re talking about grades, discounts, or statistics, this word is useful.
This article will teach you how to say “percent” in French. We’ll also look at other ways to use this term, how to respond when someone mentions it, and provide practice exercises to help you feel confident. By the end, you’ll be ready to talk about percentages like a pro!
Ways to Say Percent in French
When discussing percentages in French, there are a few key terms to know. The main way to say “percent” is “pour cent,” but there are other expressions and phrases you can use in specific contexts. Below, you’ll find detailed ways to say “percent” with their pronunciation, meaning, and examples in sentences.
1. Pour cent
Pronunciation: poohr sahn
Meaning: Percent
In a Sentence:
- Il a obtenu 80 pour cent à l’examen. (He got 80 percent on the test.)
- Les ventes ont augmenté de 20 pour cent cette année. (Sales increased by 20 percent this year.)
2. Pourcentage
Pronunciation: poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Percentage
In a Sentence:
- Quel est le pourcentage de réussite? (What is the success percentage?)
- Le pourcentage de réduction est très intéressant. (The percentage of discount is very appealing.)
3. Centième
Pronunciation: sahn-tee-em
Meaning: Hundredth (used in mathematics or fractions)
In a Sentence:
- Un centième est égal à 1 pour cent. (One hundredth is equal to 1 percent.)
- Ils ont fini avec une différence d’un centième. (They finished with a difference of one hundredth.)
4. Taux
Pronunciation: toh
Meaning: Rate or ratio (often used in financial contexts)
In a Sentence:
- Le taux d’intérêt est de 5 pour cent. (The interest rate is 5 percent.)
- Quel est le taux de chômage actuel? (What is the current unemployment rate?)
5. Fraction
Pronunciation: frahk-see-ohn
Meaning: Fraction (used to explain percentages in fractions)
In a Sentence:
- Une fraction peut être convertie en pourcentage. (A fraction can be converted into a percentage.)
- Exprimez 25% comme une fraction. (Express 25% as a fraction.)
6. Partie par cent
Pronunciation: pahr-tee pahr sahn
Meaning: Part per hundred (literal way to explain percentage)
In a Sentence:
- Une partie par cent signifie un pourcentage. (A part per hundred means a percentage.)
- La moitié est équivalente à 50 parties par cent. (Half is equivalent to 50 parts per hundred.)
7. Portion
Pronunciation: pohr-syon
Meaning: Portion (used to describe parts of a whole)
In a Sentence:
- Quelle portion représente 25 pour cent? (What portion represents 25 percent?)
- Une grande portion des ventes provient d’Internet. (A large portion of sales comes from the Internet.)
8. Quotient
Pronunciation: koh-syan
Meaning: Quotient (used in math to describe results in percentage form)
In a Sentence:
- Le quotient est exprimé en pourcentage. (The quotient is expressed as a percentage.)
- Trouvez le quotient de 50 divisé par 100. (Find the quotient of 50 divided by 100.)
9. Rapport
Pronunciation: rah-pohr
Meaning: Ratio (used for comparisons that involve percentages)
In a Sentence:
- Le rapport est de 3 pour 100. (The ratio is 3 per 100.)
- Le rapport entre les garçons et les filles est de 60 à 40 pour cent. (The ratio of boys to girls is 60 to 40 percent.)
10. Valeur en pourcentage
Pronunciation: vah-luhr ahn poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Value in percentage
In a Sentence:
- Quelle est la valeur en pourcentage de cette donnée? (What is the percentage value of this data?)
- La valeur en pourcentage doit être calculée. (The value in percentage must be calculated.)
11. Proportion
Pronunciation: proh-pohr-syohn
Meaning: Proportion (used in ratios and comparisons)
In a Sentence:
- La proportion d’étudiants présents était de 90 pour cent. (The proportion of students present was 90 percent.)
- La proportion de succès est impressionnante. (The proportion of success is impressive.)
12. Point de pourcentage
Pronunciation: pwan duh poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Percentage point (used to describe differences in percentages)
In a Sentence:
- Il y a une différence de 5 points de pourcentage. (There is a difference of 5 percentage points.)
- L’écart est mesuré en points de pourcentage. (The gap is measured in percentage points.)
13. Ratio
Pronunciation: rah-tee-oh
Meaning: Ratio (used to express parts of a whole)
In a Sentence:
- Le ratio est exprimé en pour cent. (The ratio is expressed in percent.)
- Le ratio de profit est de 15 pour cent. (The profit ratio is 15 percent.)
14. Moitié
Pronunciation: mwah-tee-ay
Meaning: Half (used for 50 percent in informal contexts)
In a Sentence:
- La moitié des élèves ont réussi. (Half of the students passed.)
- Nous avons atteint la moitié de l’objectif. (We reached half of the goal.)
15. Réduction en pourcentage
Pronunciation: ray-duhk-syohn ahn poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Percentage discount
In a Sentence:
- Quelle est la réduction en pourcentage sur ce produit? (What is the percentage discount on this product?)
- La réduction en pourcentage était de 30. (The percentage discount was 30.)
16. Augmentation en pourcentage
Pronunciation: ohg-mahn-tah-syohn ahn poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Percentage increase
In a Sentence:
- L’augmentation en pourcentage des ventes est impressionnante. (The percentage increase in sales is impressive.)
- L’augmentation en pourcentage de 10% a été confirmée. (The 10% percentage increase has been confirmed.)
17. Pourcentage net
Pronunciation: poohr-sahn-tahzh neh
Meaning: Net percentage (used in financial and statistical contexts)
In a Sentence:
- Le pourcentage net de profit est de 25%. (The net profit percentage is 25%.)
- Nous calculons le pourcentage net après les taxes. (We calculate the net percentage after taxes.)
18. Divisé par cent
Pronunciation: dee-vee-zay pahr sahn
Meaning: Divided by one hundred (a mathematical way to describe percentage)
In a Sentence:
- Pour convertir, divisez le nombre par cent. (To convert, divide the number by one hundred.)
- Le résultat est divisé par cent pour obtenir un pourcentage. (The result is divided by one hundred to get a percentage.)
19. Équivalent à pour cent
Pronunciation: ay-kee-vah-lahnt ah poohr sahn
Meaning: Equivalent to percent
In a Sentence:
- 50 sur 100 est équivalent à 50 pour cent. (50 out of 100 is equivalent to 50 percent.)
- Ce chiffre est équivalent à 20 pour cent de la population. (This figure is equivalent to 20 percent of the population.)
20. Calcul en pourcentage
Pronunciation: kahl-kul ahn poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Calculation in percentage
In a Sentence:
- Nous faisons un calcul en pourcentage pour les ventes. (We are doing a calculation in percentage for the sales.)
- Le calcul en pourcentage est essentiel pour les statistiques. (Percentage calculation is essential for statistics.)
21. Rapport exprimé en pour cent
Pronunciation: rah-pohr ex-pree-may ahn poohr sahn
Meaning: Ratio expressed in percent
In a Sentence:
- Le rapport est exprimé en pour cent dans le graphique. (The ratio is expressed in percent in the chart.)
- Les résultats sont souvent rapportés exprimés en pour cent. (Results are often reported as expressed in percent.)
22. Taux de pourcentage
Pronunciation: toh duh poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Percentage rate (often used in taxes or interest)
In a Sentence:
- Le taux de pourcentage pour la taxe est de 7%. (The percentage rate for the tax is 7%.)
- Le taux de pourcentage a diminué cette année. (The percentage rate decreased this year.)
23. Part exprimée en pour cent
Pronunciation: pahr ex-pree-may ahn poohr sahn
Meaning: Share expressed in percent
In a Sentence:
- Quelle part exprimée en pour cent revient aux employés? (What share expressed in percent goes to the employees?)
- La part exprimée en pour cent est indiquée ici. (The share expressed in percent is shown here.)
24. Moyenne en pour cent
Pronunciation: mwah-yen ahn poohr-sahn-tahzh
Meaning: Average in percent
In a Sentence:
- La moyenne en pour cent des résultats est de 85%. (The average in percent of the results is 85%.)
- Calculez la moyenne en pour cent des notes. (Calculate the average in percent of the grades.)
25. Part proportionnelle
Pronunciation: pahr proh-por-syohn-el
Meaning: Proportional part (used in ratios or percentage shares)
In a Sentence:
- La part proportionnelle est basée sur 100%. (The proportional part is based on 100%.)
- Calculez la part proportionnelle de chaque catégorie. (Calculate the proportional part of each category.)
Other Ways to Say Percent in French
Below is a table that presents alternative ways to say “percent” in French, along with their pronunciation, meaning, and example sentences. These expressions are useful for various contexts, from casual conversations to more formal or technical discussions.
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Taux | toh | Rate or ratio | Le taux d’intérêt est de 3%. (The interest rate is 3%.) Quel est le taux de réussite? (What is the success rate?) |
| Fraction | frahk-see-ohn | Fraction | Convertissez cette fraction en pourcentage. (Convert this fraction into a percentage.) Une fraction représente une part. (A fraction represents a part.) |
| Proportion | proh-pohr-syohn | Proportion | La proportion des étudiants présents était élevée. (The proportion of students present was high.) La proportion est exprimée en pourcentage. (The proportion is expressed in percent.) |
| Pourcentage net | poohr-sahn-tahzh neh | Net percentage | Quel est le pourcentage net après déduction? (What is the net percentage after deductions?) Le pourcentage net est 25%. (The net percentage is 25%.) |
| Ratio | rah-tee-oh | Ratio | Le ratio hommes-femmes est de 40 à 60. (The male-to-female ratio is 40 to 60.) Le ratio est converti en pourcentage. (The ratio is converted into a percentage.) |
| Moyenne en pourcentage | mwah-yen ahn poohr-sahn-tahzh | Average in percentage | La moyenne en pourcentage est de 80%. (The average percentage is 80%.) Calculez la moyenne en pourcentage des notes. (Calculate the average percentage of the grades.) |
| Divisé par cent | dee-vee-zay pahr sahn | Divided by one hundred | Pour trouver le pourcentage, divisez par cent. (To find the percentage, divide by one hundred.) Ce nombre est divisé par cent. (This number is divided by one hundred.) |
| Part exprimée en pour cent | pahr ex-pree-may ahn poohr sahn | Share expressed in percent | La part exprimée en pour cent est visible ici. (The share expressed in percent is visible here.) Quelle est la part exprimée en pour cent? (What is the share expressed in percent?) |
| Augmentation en pourcentage | ohg-mahn-tah-syohn ahn poohr-sahn-tahzh | Percentage increase | L’augmentation en pourcentage est impressionnante. (The percentage increase is impressive.) Une augmentation en pourcentage de 10% a été annoncée. (A 10% percentage increase was announced.) |
| Taux de pourcentage | toh duh poohr-sahn-tahzh | Percentage rate | Le taux de pourcentage pour cet article est de 15%. (The percentage rate for this item is 15%.) Calculez le taux de pourcentage total. (Calculate the total percentage rate.) |
Responses to “Percent” in French
When someone mentions percentages in French, it’s helpful to know how to respond appropriately. These responses vary depending on the context, whether you’re agreeing, asking for clarification, or expressing surprise. Here are some useful ways to respond, along with examples to make them easy to understand.
1. C’est exact
Pronunciation: say ehg-zahkt
Meaning: That’s correct.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Le taux de réussite est de 90 pour cent. (The success rate is 90 percent.)
Person 2: C’est exact. (That’s correct.)
2. Ah bon?
Pronunciation: ah bohn
Meaning: Oh really?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Les ventes ont augmenté de 50 pour cent. (Sales increased by 50 percent.)
Person 2: Ah bon? (Oh really?)
3. Vous êtes sûr?
Pronunciation: voo eht soor
Meaning: Are you sure?
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Le taux d’erreur est inférieur à 1 pour cent. (The error rate is less than 1 percent.)
Person 2: Vous êtes sûr? (Are you sure?)
4. Impressionnant!
Pronunciation: ehm-preh-see-oh-nahnt
Meaning: Impressive!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: La réduction est de 70 pour cent. (The discount is 70 percent.)
Person 2: Impressionnant! (Impressive!)
5. C’est beaucoup
Pronunciation: say boh-koo
Meaning: That’s a lot.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: 80 pour cent des étudiants ont réussi. (80 percent of students passed.)
Person 2: C’est beaucoup. (That’s a lot.)
6. Pas mal
Pronunciation: pah mahl
Meaning: Not bad.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Le pourcentage de croissance est de 15%. (The growth percentage is 15%.)
Person 2: Pas mal. (Not bad.)
7. Incroyable!
Pronunciation: ahn-krwah-yah-bluh
Meaning: Incredible!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: La marge de profit est de 45 pour cent. (The profit margin is 45 percent.)
Person 2: Incroyable! (Incredible!)
8. Expliquez-moi cela
Pronunciation: ex-plee-kay mwah suh-lah
Meaning: Explain that to me.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Le pourcentage de réussite varie selon la méthode utilisée. (The success percentage varies depending on the method used.)
Person 2: Expliquez-moi cela. (Explain that to me.)
9. Ce n’est pas possible!
Pronunciation: suh neh pah poh-see-bluh
Meaning: That’s not possible!
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Les coûts ont diminué de 80 pour cent. (Costs decreased by 80 percent.)
Person 2: Ce n’est pas possible! (That’s not possible!)
10. C’est intéressant
Pronunciation: say an-teh-reh-sahn
Meaning: That’s interesting.
In a Sentence:
- Person 1: Le pourcentage de satisfaction est de 98%. (The satisfaction percentage is 98%.)
Person 2: C’est intéressant. (That’s interesting.)
Exercise to Practice Saying Percent in French
Below are 12 fill-in-the-blank exercises to practice using ways to say “percent” in French. Each sentence is entirely in French, with a real-life context relatable to daily situations. The answers and their meanings are provided after the exercise.
Fill-in-the-Blanks
- Le produit est en solde avec une réduction de 30 ________.
- Le ________ d’erreurs dans ce projet est très bas, environ 2.
- Le taux de satisfaction des clients est de 95 ________.
- Le ________ net de profits après les taxes est de 20%.
- L’________ en ventes cette année est estimée à 15 pour cent.
- Si vous divisez ce chiffre par 100, vous obtenez un ________.
- La moitié des participants, soit 50 ________, ont complété l’enquête.
- La part proportionnelle des bénéfices pour chaque membre est exprimée en ________.
- Ce graphique montre la ________ moyenne des résultats scolaires.
- Le taux de réduction en ________ est affiché à côté du produit.
- 80 sur 100 est ________ à 80 pour cent.
- La ________ en ventes est mesurée en points de pourcentage.
Answers with Meaning
- pour cent (The product is on sale with a 30 percent discount.)
- pourcentage (The percentage of errors in this project is very low, around 2.)
- pour cent (The customer satisfaction rate is 95 percent.)
- pourcentage (The net percentage of profits after taxes is 20%.)
- augmentation (The increase in sales this year is estimated at 15 percent.)
- pour cent (If you divide this figure by 100, you get a percent.)
- pour cent (Half of the participants, that is 50 percent, completed the survey.)
- pour cent (The proportional share of profits for each member is expressed in percent.)
- moyenne en pourcentage (This chart shows the average percentage of school results.)
- pourcentage (The percentage discount rate is displayed next to the product.)
- équivalent (80 out of 100 is equivalent to 80 percent.)
- augmentation (The increase in sales is measured in percentage points.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say “percent” in French is both practical and useful for daily conversations. From understanding discounts while shopping to discussing statistics or grades, this vocabulary helps you express numerical ideas clearly and confidently.
By practicing the different ways to say “percent” and using the exercises provided, you’ll not only improve your language skills but also feel more at ease in conversations. Keep practicing, and soon, talking about percentages in French will become second nature!