Fraction in French

How to write fractions in French

When it comes to expressing fractions in French, it's essential to understand how to represent them accurately. Fractions with denominators 2, 3, or 4 have specific irregularities in their written and spoken forms, while those with denominators 5 or higher are expressed differently.

Irregular Fractions (Denominators 2, 3, or 4)

Fraction	French Term
1/2	un demi
1/3	un tiers
1/4	un quart
2/3	deux tiers
2/4	deux quarts

Fractions with Denominators 5 or Higher

For fractions with denominators of 5 or higher, they are expressed using ordinal numbers.

Fraction	French Term
1/5	un cinquième
1/10	un dixième
1/20	un vingtième
1/100	un centième
1/1000	un millième

Mastering the Usage of "Demi" and Plural Fractions in French

Understanding how to correctly use "demi" (half) in French, along with plural fractions, is crucial for fluency. Let's delve into the rules and examples to ensure accurate usage.

Using "Demi" in Different Contexts

Context	Example
Before a Noun	un demi-litre d’eau
	deux demi-litres d’eau (plural)
	une demi-heure
After a Noun	une heure et demie
	une bouteille et demie
	trois heures et demie

Plural Fractions in French

Fraction	French Term
2/3	deux tiers
3/4	trois quarts

Common French Phrases with Fractions

Incorrect	Correct
un quart d’année	trois mois / un trimestre
une demi-année	six mois
trois quarts d’année	neuf mois
trois quarts des étudiants	les trois-quarts des étudiants
à demi-prix	à moitié prix
la demi-ville	la moitié de la ville

Understanding French Fractions

In French, just like in English, fractions play a significant role in expressing parts of a whole. Let's explore French fractions and understand their similarities and differences compared to English.

French Fractions vs. Ordinals

English Term	French Term
whole	un tout, un entier
half	un demi, une demie
a third	un tiers
a fourth	un quart
a fifth	un cinquième
a sixth	un sixième
a seventh	un septième
an eighth	un huitième
a ninth	un neuvième
a tenth	un dixième
an eleventh	un onzième
a twelfth	un douzième

Similarities and Differences

In both French and English, fractions and ordinals overlap significantly. From "third" onwards, they share the same word in English, while in French, they coincide starting with "cinquième" (fifth).

Understanding these French fraction terms will enhance your ability to express and comprehend parts of a whole accurately in French.

Mastering French Fractions: Tips and Rules

Creating and understanding fractions in French involves some specific rules and adjustments. Let's break them down to make it easier to grasp.

Building Fractions from Cardinal Numbers

Spelling Adjustments for Certain Cardinal Numbers

Gender Agreement with "Demi"

When "demi" is used as a noun or follows a noun, it can be feminine.

However, when "demi" precedes a noun, it remains in the masculine form.

Example	Translation
une demi-bouteille	a half-bottle
une demi-heure	a half-hour

Using Prepositions with Fractions

When French fractions are followed by a noun, the preposition "de" is required.

Example	Translation
3/4 of the students	trois quarts des étudiants
2/5 of the book	deux cinquièmes du livre
9/10 of our revenue	neuf dixièmes de nos revenus

By following these rules, you'll be able to construct and use French fractions accurately in various contexts.