Saying The Year Wrong

saying-the-date-wrong4One of the most common mistakes I’ve heard students make in my online French lessons is saying the year wrong. This is because in French you must say the word “cent” for hundred. For the 2000s it’s easy. You simply say “deux mille” (2000) plus the year. For example: 2016 is “deux mille seize” and 2005 is “deux mille cinq”.

 

Examples of the right and wrong ways to say the year in French

1964

  • RIGHT: Mille neuf cent soixante-quatre
  • RIGHT: Dix-neuf cent soixante-quatre
  • WRONG: Mille neuf soixante-quatre

1990

  • RIGHT: Mille neuf cent quatre-vingt dix
  • WRONG: Mille neuf quatre-vingt-dix

1942

  • RIGHT: Mille neuf cent quarante-deux
  • WRONG: Mille neuf quarante-deux

1985

  • RIGHT: Mille neuf cent quatre-vingt-cinq
  • WRONG: Mille neuf quatre-vingt-cinq
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About David Issokson

David Issokson is a lifelong language enthusiast. His head is swimming with words and sounds as he speaks over six languages. Of all the languages he speaks, he's the most passionate about French! David has helped hundreds of students to improve their French in his private online lessons. When procrastinating working on his site, FrenchLearner.com, David enjoys his time skiing and hiking in Teton Valley, Idaho.