Learning how to say decimals in French can be very helpful, especially when dealing with numbers in math, money, or measurements. French uses specific words to express decimals, which might be different from how you say them in English.
In this article, you will discover how to say decimals in French, learn alternative phrases, understand common responses, and practice through exercises. By the end, you will feel more confident using decimals in real-life situations, whether in school, shopping, or even while traveling in French-speaking countries.
Ways to Say Decimals in French
In French, decimals are expressed differently than in English. The decimal point is replaced by a comma, and numbers after the comma are pronounced separately. Understanding how to say decimals helps with math, shopping, and everyday conversations.
1. Nombre décimal
Pronunciation: noh(m)-bruh day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal number
In a Sentence: J’ai appris à lire un nombre décimal en classe. (I learned to read a decimal number in class.)
2. Virgule
Pronunciation: veer-gül
Meaning: Decimal point
In a Sentence: Le nombre 3,14 s’écrit avec une virgule en français. (The number 3.14 is written with a comma in French.)
3. Point décimal
Pronunciation: pwan day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal point (used rarely)
In a Sentence: En anglais, on utilise un point décimal. (In English, we use a decimal point.)
4. Fraction décimale
Pronunciation: frak-syon day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal fraction
In a Sentence: Une fraction décimale peut être convertie en nombre décimal. (A decimal fraction can be converted into a decimal number.)
5. Dixième
Pronunciation: dee-syem
Meaning: Tenth
In a Sentence: Zéro virgule un est un dixième. (Zero point one is a tenth.)
6. Centième
Pronunciation: sahn-tyem
Meaning: Hundredth
In a Sentence: Un centième de dollar équivaut à un cent. (One hundredth of a dollar equals one cent.)
7. Millième
Pronunciation: mee-lyem
Meaning: Thousandth
In a Sentence: Le résultat est précis au millième près. (The result is accurate to the nearest thousandth.)
8. Trois virgule cinq
Pronunciation: trwa veer-gül sank
Meaning: Three point five
In a Sentence: Mon score est trois virgule cinq sur cinq. (My score is three point five out of five.)
9. Deux virgule un
Pronunciation: duh veer-gül uh(n)
Meaning: Two point one
In a Sentence: Le prix est deux virgule un euros. (The price is two point one euros.)
10. Zéro virgule deux
Pronunciation: zay-ro veer-gül duh
Meaning: Zero point two
In a Sentence: Le poids est zéro virgule deux kilogrammes. (The weight is zero point two kilograms.)
11. Un virgule quatre
Pronunciation: uh(n) veer-gül katr
Meaning: One point four
In a Sentence: La note est un virgule quatre sur dix. (The grade is one point four out of ten.)
12. Cinq virgule zéro
Pronunciation: sank veer-gül zay-ro
Meaning: Five point zero
In a Sentence: Le temps est cinq virgule zéro secondes. (The time is five point zero seconds.)
13. Sept virgule huit
Pronunciation: set veer-gül weet
Meaning: Seven point eight
In a Sentence: La distance est sept virgule huit kilomètres. (The distance is seven point eight kilometers.)
14. Virgule flottante
Pronunciation: veer-gül flo-tahnt
Meaning: Floating point (used in computing)
In a Sentence: Les ordinateurs utilisent la virgule flottante pour les calculs complexes. (Computers use floating-point for complex calculations.)
15. Chiffre après la virgule
Pronunciation: shee-fr ah-pray lah veer-gül
Meaning: Digit after the decimal point
In a Sentence: Le chiffre après la virgule est important pour la précision. (The digit after the decimal point is important for accuracy.)
16. Un point cinq
Pronunciation: uh(n) pwan sank
Meaning: One point five
In a Sentence: Le résultat est un point cinq. (The result is one point five.)
17. Décimal exact
Pronunciation: day-see-mal eg-zakt
Meaning: Exact decimal
In a Sentence: Nous avons trouvé la valeur décimale exacte. (We found the exact decimal value.)
18. Approximation décimale
Pronunciation: ah-prok-see-mah-syon day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal approximation
In a Sentence: Une approximation décimale peut être utilisée pour simplifier les calculs. (A decimal approximation can be used to simplify calculations.)
19. Nombre avec des décimales
Pronunciation: noh(m)-bruh ah-vek day day-see-mal
Meaning: Number with decimals
In a Sentence: Le nombre avec des décimales est plus précis. (The number with decimals is more precise.)
20. Calculer avec des décimales
Pronunciation: kal-ku-lay ah-vek day day-see-mal
Meaning: To calculate with decimals
In a Sentence: Nous avons appris à calculer avec des décimales à l’école. (We learned to calculate with decimals at school.)
21. Arrondi au dixième
Pronunciation: ah-ron-dee oh dee-syem
Meaning: Rounded to the nearest tenth
In a Sentence: Le résultat est arrondi au dixième. (The result is rounded to the nearest tenth.)
22. Valeur décimale
Pronunciation: vah-luhr day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal value
In a Sentence: La valeur décimale doit être correcte dans ce calcul. (The decimal value must be correct in this calculation.)
23. Précision décimale
Pronunciation: pray-see-syon day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal precision
In a Sentence: La précision décimale est essentielle en science. (Decimal precision is essential in science.)
24. Chiffre après le point
Pronunciation: shee-fr ah-pray luh pwan
Meaning: Digit after the point
In a Sentence: Vérifiez le chiffre après le point pour la précision. (Check the digit after the point for accuracy.)
25. Centième près
Pronunciation: sahn-tyem pray
Meaning: To the nearest hundredth
In a Sentence: Le score est calculé au centième près. (The score is calculated to the nearest hundredth.)
26. Nombre approximatif
Pronunciation: noh(m)-bruh ah-prok-see-mah-teef
Meaning: Approximate number
In a Sentence: Nous avons utilisé un nombre approximatif pour simplifier le calcul. (We used an approximate number to simplify the calculation.)
27. Calcul décimal
Pronunciation: kal-kül day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal calculation
In a Sentence: Le professeur a expliqué comment faire un calcul décimal. (The teacher explained how to perform a decimal calculation.)
28. Écriture décimale
Pronunciation: ay-kree-teur day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal notation
In a Sentence: L’écriture décimale est utilisée dans les mathématiques modernes. (Decimal notation is used in modern mathematics.)
29. Division décimale
Pronunciation: dee-vee-zion day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal division
In a Sentence: Nous avons appris la division décimale aujourd’hui. (We learned decimal division today.)
30. Addition décimale
Pronunciation: ah-dee-syon day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal addition
In a Sentence: L’addition décimale est facile à comprendre après quelques exercices. (Decimal addition is easy to understand after some practice.)
31. Résultat décimal
Pronunciation: ray-zül-tah day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal result
In a Sentence: Le résultat décimal de l’équation est correct. (The decimal result of the equation is correct.)
32. Système décimal
Pronunciation: sees-tem day-see-mal
Meaning: Decimal system
In a Sentence: Le système décimal est utilisé dans le monde entier. (The decimal system is used worldwide.)
Other Ways to Say Decimals in French
Here are additional expressions related to decimals in French, commonly used in everyday conversations, mathematics, and technical contexts:
| Other Ways to Say | Pronunciation | Meaning | Example Sentences |
| Nombre fractionnaire | noh(m)-bruh frak-syon-neh | Fractional number | Un nombre fractionnaire peut être converti en décimal. (A fractional number can be converted into a decimal.) |
| Chiffre significatif | shee-fr seeg-nee-fee-ka-teef | Significant digit | Le chiffre significatif est crucial dans les calculs scientifiques. (The significant digit is crucial in scientific calculations.) |
| Conversion décimale | kon-ver-syon day-see-mal | Decimal conversion | La conversion décimale facilite les comparaisons de valeurs. (Decimal conversion makes value comparisons easier.) |
| Approximation mathématique | ah-prok-see-mah-syon ma-teh-ma-teek | Mathematical approximation | L’approximation mathématique est utile dans les calculs complexes. (Mathematical approximation is useful in complex calculations.) |
| Notation scientifique | noh-tah-syon see-ahn-tee-feek | Scientific notation | La notation scientifique est utilisée pour écrire de grands nombres. (Scientific notation is used to write large numbers.) |
| Arrondi décimal | ah-ron-dee day-see-mal | Decimal rounding | Nous devons faire un arrondi décimal dans ce calcul. (We need to round the decimal in this calculation.) |
| Calcul numérique | kal-kül nü-may-reek | Numerical calculation | Le calcul numérique nécessite de la précision. (Numerical calculation requires precision.) |
| Fraction irréductible | frak-syon ee-reh-duk-tee-bl | Irreducible fraction | Une fraction irréductible ne peut pas être simplifiée. (An irreducible fraction cannot be simplified.) |
| Division longue | dee-vee-zion lon-guh | Long division | La division longue est souvent utilisée avec des nombres décimaux. (Long division is often used with decimal numbers.) |
| Approximation proche | ah-prok-see-mah-syon prosh | Close approximation | Nous avons trouvé une approximation proche du résultat exact. (We found a close approximation of the exact result.) |
| Expression numérique | eks-pres-syon nü-may-reek | Numerical expression | Cette expression numérique contient plusieurs décimales. (This numerical expression contains several decimals.) |
| Unité de mesure décimale | ü-nee-tay duh meh-zyur day-see-mal | Decimal measurement unit | Le mètre est une unité de mesure décimale. (The meter is a decimal measurement unit.) |
Responses to Decimals in French
When someone uses decimals in French, knowing how to respond appropriately can be helpful, especially in conversations about numbers, prices, or calculations. Here are common responses to decimals in French:
1. C’est exact
Pronunciation: say eg-zakt
Meaning: That’s correct
In a Sentence: – Le prix est deux virgule cinq euros. – C’est exact. (The price is two point five euros. – That’s correct.)
2. Bien compris
Pronunciation: byan koh(m)-pree
Meaning: Understood
In a Sentence: – Le résultat est trois virgule sept. – Bien compris. (The result is three point seven. – Understood.)
3. D’accord
Pronunciation: dah-kohr
Meaning: Okay
In a Sentence: – Le montant total est dix virgule neuf. – D’accord. (The total amount is ten point nine. – Okay.)
4. C’est juste
Pronunciation: say zhüst
Meaning: That’s right
In a Sentence: – Le score est cinq virgule deux. – C’est juste. (The score is five point two. – That’s right.)
5. Je vois
Pronunciation: zhuh vwah
Meaning: I see
In a Sentence: – La mesure est quatre virgule huit mètres. – Je vois. (The measurement is four point eight meters. – I see.)
6. Exactement
Pronunciation: eg-zakt-mah(n)
Meaning: Exactly
In a Sentence: – Le total est six virgule trois. – Exactement! (The total is six point three. – Exactly!)
7. Pas de problème
Pronunciation: pah duh pro-blem
Meaning: No problem
In a Sentence: – Nous devons ajouter zéro virgule cinq. – Pas de problème! (We need to add zero point five. – No problem!)
8. C’est bon
Pronunciation: say bohn
Meaning: It’s good / It’s fine
In a Sentence: – Le résultat est neuf virgule quatre. – C’est bon. (The result is nine point four. – It’s fine.)
9. Correct
Pronunciation: koh-rekt
Meaning: Correct
In a Sentence: – La réponse est un virgule huit. – Correct. (The answer is one point eight. – Correct.)
10. Entendu
Pronunciation: ahn-tah(n)-dü
Meaning: Got it
In a Sentence: – La somme totale est sept virgule six. – Entendu! (The total sum is seven point six. – Got it!)
11. Parfait
Pronunciation: par-feh
Meaning: Perfect
In a Sentence: – La valeur est deux virgule quatre. – Parfait! (The value is two point four. – Perfect!)
12. Absolument
Pronunciation: ab-so-lü-mah(n)
Meaning: Absolutely
In a Sentence: – Le total est trois virgule neuf. – Absolument! (The total is three point nine. – Absolutely!)
13. Très bien
Pronunciation: tray byan
Meaning: Very well
In a Sentence: – Le prix est huit virgule deux euros. – Très bien. (The price is eight point two euros. – Very well.)
14. Je suis d’accord
Pronunciation: zhuh swee dah-kohr
Meaning: I agree
In a Sentence: – La réponse est un virgule cinq. – Je suis d’accord. (The answer is one point five. – I agree.)
15. C’est précis
Pronunciation: say pray-see
Meaning: That’s precise
In a Sentence: – La mesure est sept virgule trois mètres. – C’est précis! (The measurement is seven point three meters. – That’s precise!)
16. Exact
Pronunciation: eg-zakt
Meaning: Exact
In a Sentence: – Le score final est cinq virgule sept. – Exact! (The final score is five point seven. – Exact!)
17. Rien à redire
Pronunciation: ryeh ah ruh-deer
Meaning: Nothing to say against it
In a Sentence: – Le total est six virgule huit. – Rien à redire. (The total is six point eight. – Nothing to say against it.)
18. Tout à fait
Pronunciation: too tah feh
Meaning: Absolutely / Quite so
In a Sentence: – Le résultat est quatre virgule deux. – Tout à fait! (The result is four point two. – Absolutely!)
19. Ça marche
Pronunciation: sah marsh
Meaning: That works
In a Sentence: – Le montant est neuf virgule un. – Ça marche! (The amount is nine point one. – That works!)
20. Bien sûr
Pronunciation: byan sur
Meaning: Of course
In a Sentence: – La somme totale est dix virgule six. – Bien sûr! (The total sum is ten point six. – Of course!)
Exercise to Practice Saying Decimals in French
Complete the sentences below by filling in the blanks with the correct decimal phrases in French. Use what you have learned from the previous sections.
Fill-in-the-Blanks Sentences
- Le prix de la pomme est ______ euros. (3,45)
- La température est de ______ degrés aujourd’hui. (18,7)
- Mon score à l’examen est ______ sur 20. (14,5)
- Nous avons parcouru ______ kilomètres pendant notre promenade. (2,3)
- Le total de la facture est ______ euros. (56,78)
- Le temps final du coureur était de ______ secondes. (9,82)
- La longueur de la corde est de ______ mètres. (4,25)
- La largeur de la table est de ______ centimètres. (75,6)
- Mon salaire horaire est de ______ dollars. (15,5)
- Le résultat du test est de ______ sur 10. (8,9)
- Le poids de la boîte est de ______ kilogrammes. (1,35)
- L’altitude de l’avion est de ______ mètres. (10,5)
Answers with Meanings
- 3,45 – Le prix de la pomme est trois virgule quarante-cinq euros. (The price of the apple is three point forty-five euros.)
- 18,7 – La température est de dix-huit virgule sept degrés aujourd’hui. (The temperature is eighteen point seven degrees today.)
- 14,5 – Mon score à l’examen est quatorze virgule cinq sur 20. (My exam score is fourteen point five out of twenty.)
- 2,3 – Nous avons parcouru deux virgule trois kilomètres pendant notre promenade. (We walked two point three kilometers during our walk.)
- 56,78 – Le total de la facture est cinquante-six virgule soixante-dix-huit euros. (The bill total is fifty-six point seventy-eight euros.)
- 9,82 – Le temps final du coureur était de neuf virgule quatre-vingt-deux secondes. (The runner’s final time was nine point eighty-two seconds.)
- 4,25 – La longueur de la corde est de quatre virgule vingt-cinq mètres. (The length of the rope is four point twenty-five meters.)
- 75,6 – La largeur de la table est de soixante-quinze virgule six centimètres. (The table’s width is seventy-five point six centimeters.)
- 15,5 – Mon salaire horaire est de quinze virgule cinq dollars. (My hourly wage is fifteen point five dollars.)
- 8,9 – Le résultat du test est de huit virgule neuf sur 10. (The test result is eight point nine out of ten.)
- 1,35 – Le poids de la boîte est de un virgule trente-cinq kilogrammes. (The weight of the box is one point thirty-five kilograms.)
- 10,5 – L’altitude de l’avion est de dix virgule cinq mètres. (The plane’s altitude is ten point five meters.)
Conclusion
Learning how to say decimals in French is essential for understanding numbers in everyday life. Whether you’re shopping, studying math, or discussing measurements, knowing how to express decimals can make conversations clearer and more precise.
Practice regularly by using real-world examples like prices, distances, or scores. The more you use decimals in French, the more confident you will become. Keep exploring new ways to express numbers, and soon, talking about decimals will feel as natural as speaking in English.