There’s nothing that sends extra shivers up French learners’ spines than coping with French telephone numbers. Once I first moved to France, nothing despatched me right into a panic like having to jot down down a French telephone quantity.
It was 10 occasions worse after I was on the telephone and never nose to nose. Not solely can French numbers be difficult in and of themselves, however when there are 5 pairs of them spoken to you if you aren’t used to it in speedy succession on the opposite finish of the road, it’s sufficient to make you wish to dangle up the telephone fully and query your life decisions. I child. Type of. However don’t despair!
Let’s study French telephone numbers and the way they’re structured so you can’t solely write them down with ease but in addition be assured in giving your telephone quantity to others. You’ll be a professional very quickly!
Quickly after transferring to France, you’ll discover how important it’s to have the ability to perceive French numbers. It may be simple to get confused with the completely different codecs and conventions. Nonetheless, understanding the right technique to write a French telephone quantity is necessary for each private {and professional} communication.
You’ll want to offer your quantity to secretaries when making appointments, making dinner reservations, and in so many different situations. It’s actually necessary that you simply discover ways to say and acknowledge French telephone numbers (to not point out your individual!) and that every one begins with studying common ol’ French numbers.
Whereas most numbers are simple sufficient and you’ll study 0-69 rapidly, when you hit the quantity 70, your mind might have to recalibrate as a result of you must do some fast math. Even in the present day, after a decade in France, I can truthfully say that after I have to rattle off a quantity between 70-99, I take an additional second to verify I’m saying the fitting quantity.
That’s as a result of in French, the numbering will get a tiny bit difficult. The quantity 70 is soixante-dix, actually 60+10. I’m not speaking about telephone quantity digits but, simply explaining the numbering system. To say or write 70 in French, it’s actually the numbers sixty and ten, so if you wish to say you’re 70 years previous you say, j’ai soixante-dix ans.
To additional complicate issues, 82 can be quatre-vingt-deux, actually 4*20+2. And much more enjoyable, we’ve 99. That’s quatre-vingt-dix-neuf, literaly 4*20+10+9. My telephone variety of course has a 99 in it as a result of, properly, in fact it does. ;-)))
P.S. Over in Belgium, they hold issues easy and have a particular phrase for for 70, which is septante and 90 is nonante. However they aren’t utilized in France.
Studying French is enjoyable, proper? OK, now that you’ve a little bit background and know your numbers as much as 99, let’s get into some French telephone quantity fundamentals.
Understanding the format of French telephone numbers: The fundamentals
French telephone numbers usually have ten digits and are written in pairs of two digits every with every pair separated by areas or intervals.
The nation code for France is a further two digits earlier than the ten fundamental ones, +33, so be aware of that when calling from overseas. However for calls inside France, you don’t want the nation code.
The primary two-digit quantity pair signifies the geographic space, which might vary from 01 to 05 for landlines, whereas cell numbers begin with 06 or 07. All numbers begin with 0.
Non-geographic numbers, that are used for Voice over IP providers and digital numbers, begin with 09.
Instance: +33 09 12 34 56 78
Along with the usual French telephone numbers format, there are additionally variations in how they’re written and recited. Some folks might use hyphens as an alternative of areas or intervals, whereas others might embrace the nation code when giving their quantity to somebody outdoors of France.
Regardless although, they’re all the time spoken and written as a single variety of two digits and word said one digit at a time. So a forty five is recited as forty-five (quarante-cinq) not 4, 5 (quatre, cinq).
One thing else to notice is that when dialing a French quantity from overseas, that first 0 will get dropped for worldwide calls. Should you’re dialing from a landline in the US, you’d first dial the 011 worldwide entry code that lets the operator hook up with worldwide circuits, then the nation code after which the remainder of the telephone quantity however with out that first 0), so 011 33 9 1… in my instance above.
By understanding these completely different codecs and conventions, you may be sure that your French telephone quantity is written appropriately and simply understood by others. However that’s simpler stated than executed if you nonetheless don’t have an ideal deal with on French, not to mention all of the quantity sorts and observe with all of the two-digit numbers.
Format of French telephone numbers
The French numbering system could be complicated for non-native audio system. The instance I gave within the intro with numbers greater than 70 is a part of it. However then the precise phone quantity format takes it to a different degree.
Since 1996, French phone numbers have been composed of 10 digits and are often said as a sequence of 5 double-digit numbers. For instance, 09 22 53 84 07 can be pronounced as “zero neuf, vingt-deux, cinquante-trois, quatre-vingt-quatre, zero sept.”
The primary two digits of a French telephone quantity denote the geographic space (01-05 for land traces), cell, or non-geographic quantity. The next desk exhibits the world codes for the completely different areas in France:
| Space Code | Geographic Space |
|---|---|
| 01 | Île-de-France |
| 02 | Northwest France & Mayotte & La Reunion |
| 03 | Northeast France |
| 04 | Southeast France |
| 05 | Southwest France & Guadeloupe, Martinique & French Guiana |
06 and 07 prefixes aren’t geography particular. They only denote that they’re French cell phone numbers. Three of hottest cell phone plan service suppliers on the French market inside metropolitan France are Bouygues Telecom (what Tom and I’ve all the time had), Orange, and SFR.
To dial a French telephone quantity inside France, simply dial the 10-digit telephone quantity beginning with 0. Simple peasy. Dialing native telephone numbers is a simple course of.
One cool factor to notice is that there are not any long-distance expenses for calling numbers inside France from a French telephone quantity. Nonetheless, some customer support numbers might cost you a charge, so that may be the exception.
Now again to numbers being complicated for us French learners. The opposite subject is that in case your ear isn’t used to listening to these quantity pairs — or giving them — you may journey your self up. French telephone numbers could be fairly lengthy and complicated, with some numbers having implicit math throughout the identify, as I defined.
For instance, the quantity 87 is “quatre-vingt-sept,” which accurately interprets to “4 twenty seven.” So in case your telephone quantity is 06 87 99 72 91, that’s fairly a mouthful. Right here’s what you’d actually be saying every time you give your telephone quantity:
zero-six, quatre-vingt-sept, quatre-vingt-dix-neuf, soixante-douze, quatre-vingt-onze.
YIKES! Fortunately, a typical quantity wouldn’t have all excessive numbers.
And right here lies the opposite main subject for French learners relating to French telephone numbers. Whenever you hear every pair, you may be tempted to jot down down the very first thing you hear as an alternative of ready for the multiword quantity to be full earlier than transferring onto the following pair. This was an enormous downside for me!
What I imply is, you would possibly hear soixante-douze which is 72 however you’d acknowledge the numbers individually. So that you’d rapidly write down 60 (soixante) or 12 (douze) upon listening to it, not realizing the entire two-word quantity is definitely 72.
That was SO irritating or me within the early days of dwelling in France. I’d ask Tom to make telephone calls and whereas it helped alleviate stress is the brief time period, it didn’t assist me in the long run.
Cellphone numbers would make me wish to run and conceal. I used to be so relieved after I’d need to say or write a telephone quantity with digits below 70.
One thing else that may create issues was the 2-second pause I’d take whereas placing collectively the quantity in my thoughts. I’d consider what 87 was and it ended up being a break up second too lengthy for the individual on the receiving finish.
They’d assume I used to be simply saying quatre or simply vingt, not realizing my mind wanted an additional few seconds to efficiently say 87 rapidly so it could be understood as one pair of digits. After which I’d have to start out once more from the start as a result of they thought I’d given them a 12-digit telephone quantity…. which is clearly not appropriate.
Anyway, I gained’t go personal the rabbit gap of my French telephone quantity woes an excessive amount of. However I do know for those who’ve been there too, you’re feeling me on this!
7 Issues that I nonetheless don’t perceive about life in France >>
Photograph credit score: Depositphotos.com/georgejmclittle
Particular circumstances for French telephone numbers
Non-geographic numbers
Non-geographic numbers in France are used for voice over IP providers and shared-cost providers. They begin with the prefix 08/09 and are adopted by 2 to six digits. 08 are typically customer support numbers.
The price of calling these numbers varies relying on the service supplier and the kind of name. Freephone numbers, also referred to as “numéro vert,” are free to name from landlines and cellphone numbers.
French emergency telephone numbers
In case of an emergency in France, it’s not 911! Commit 112 to reminiscence as an alternative and use it to succeed in the European emergency quantity. You’ll be routed appropriately though 112 additionally works in each EU nation.
Inside France, dial 15 for medical emergencies, whereas 17 is used for police emergencies. The quantity 18 is used for fireplace emergencies. These numbers could be referred to as at no cost from any telephone, together with cell phones.
Frequent errors when writing French telephone numbers
When writing and dialing French telephone numbers, there are a number of widespread errors that individuals make. Listed below are a couple of to be careful for:
Together with the preliminary 0 when dialing internationally and forgetting the nation code.
Probably the most widespread errors folks make when dialing French telephone numbers from overseas is together with the preliminary 0. Scroll up to take a look at instance from above. You’ll want to go away the 0 out.
On the flip facet, France’s nation code is 33, so that you’ll want so as to add +33 earlier than the telephone quantity. For instance, if somebody offers you a French telephone quantity that begins with 06, it’s best to write it as +336.
Mixing up the order of the numbers or complicated the numbers fully
These numbers come at you rapidly and it’s solely regular to ask folks to talk slower or repeat themselves till you get it proper. Should you combine up the order of the numbers or get them flawed fully, you might find yourself calling the flawed individual or not with the ability to get by way of in any respect.
Suggestions for not shedding your thoughts over French telephone numbers
I bear in mind how tough the early days have been. French telephone numbers is usually a little complicated at first, however with a couple of suggestions and a little bit of time and observe, it turns into simpler.
Listed below are some useful recommendations to remember when attempting to jot down down and provides a French telephone quantity:
-Keep in mind that format. Common French telephone numbers have 10 digits. Hear for 5 pairs of numbers with a pure pause between every. Give your quantity to others this manner as properly.
What I imply is, be type of fast for those who’re going to rattle off a 99 and don’t pause awkwardly between quatre, vingt, dix or neuf. Should you pause, it can result in confusion as a result of the individual on the receiving finish gained’t know for those who stated 99 or 20 or 80 then 19. Say the 4-word quantity 99 with a fast confidence to keep away from misunderstandings. How do I do know this? As a result of as I stated, my quantity comprises a 99 and I’ve realized from doing it flawed sufficient occasions.
Remember the fact that every pair is alleged as one quantity and never two separate digits. So for instance, in case your French telephone quantity has a 27 in it, don’t say two and 7 individually. Give it as twenty-seven (vingt-sept).
-Don’t be afraid to ask somebody to repeat themselves or to talk extra slowly. There may be completely no disgrace in asking somebody both of this stuff. It’s higher to get the quantity proper than to avoid wasting face.
Depart your ego on the door. When studying French, that’s my first tip. You’ll make errors and it’s best to count on to. There’s no room for an enormous ego right here.
-Use repetition and visualization to recollect telephone numbers. One technique to bear in mind French telephone numbers is to repeat them a number of occasions and visualize the digits in your thoughts. Examine French numbers as much as 99 and even make flash playing cards so you may observe those that provide the most hassle.
-All the time repeat the quantity again to the individual after you write it down. What I love to do is as they are saying every digit, I’ll say it again to them as I write it down. I do that on the telephone and in individual.
That method, I do know I’m getting it proper and might decelerate the circulate of the numbers coming at me. I discover native French audio system do that as properly, so it’s completely regular to do the identical.
Let me clarify what I mea. Should you’re on the telephone and somebody is about to offer you a telephone quantity to notice down they usually begin with 02, you repeat zéro-deux after them as you write it down, then they’ll proceed with the following pair that you simply’ll repeat after they are saying it, and so forth.
I additionally like repeating the total quantity again to them after. It’s good observe and double checks your work. I nonetheless do that in the present day and generally nonetheless catch a couple of errors.
-Follow French telephone numbers by yourself time. I’d arrange workout routines for myself within the very early days the place I’d observe writing down others’ numbers and giving my very own telephone quantity out.
My talking companion is my husband Tom and for a couple of weeks, we’d have nightly telephone quantity observe the place he’d give me French telephone numbers to jot down down and still have me observe giving mine.
We’d do that nose to nose and likewise with him on the telephone out of sight. He’d be a standard man to start with after which fake he was a fast-talker, a mumbler, somebody with no persistence, somebody who spoke quietly, and so on. with telephone numbers that had various levels of problem. It replicated real-life conditions and it labored. Follow=progress.
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I hope that you simply realized a bit about French telephone numbers and perceive how they work. Undoubtedly take my suggestions into consideration and observe, observe, and observe some extra so you may keep away from any confusion when making calls in France.
What’s your expertise been with French telephone numbers?
