Decimals

Allan MTue, 02 Nov 2010 10:40:39 -0500
In the lessons we are taught about the decimal point being "virgule", e.g. Two point five = deux virgule cinq. However, my understanding is that virgule is actually a comma, and the reason it is used like this is that French standard notation is to use a comma for a decimal separator as opposed to a point (period or fullstop), like many other nations do.

If however you are reading a document, and mention a section headed 5.10, you would actually say cinq point dix, ne c'est pas? (While the comma, "virgule" is reserved as a decimal separator only). Does this change in other French speaking countries, where the decimal separator is a point (period or fullstop)? Do people then use point instead of virgule even for decimal numbers?

Furthermore:

1) does one read a decimal no 5,46 as cinq virgule quatre six or cinq virgule quarante-six? and
2) I assume one would read a heading 5.12 as cinq point douze . . ?

I just need to be sure my understanding of this is correct, before I end up in a French boardroom one day,. confusing clients.
Marie-Claire RivièreTue, 09 Nov 2010 21:25:12 -0600
Salut à nouveau Allan!

The French decimal separator is always a comma "virgule", as you said.

If you were talking about a section titled 5.10 you would use 'point'. As in "cinq point dix", we use a full stop in France. French Canada I think uses the American system so there is no coma for decimals (using full stops instead).

Your examples would be:
1. Cinq virgule quarante-six
2. Cinq point douze

Merci!
Total posts 14726 • Total topics 3503 • Total members 19056 • Our newest member Hassan A2

Try Rocket French for Free

Sign up for your Free, No-obligation Trial
and see how well Rocket French works for you!
No Credit Card Required

YES! I want to try Rocket French for free!



This is a private and fully protected mailing list. You can unsubscribe at any time.
You can review our Privacy Policy here.

That's right, sign up now and you'll be able to see just how well my Rocket French Premium course works for you!

Your free trial gives you instant online access to a selection of Rocket French Premium interactive audio lessons and French language and culture lessons.

You'll be amazed at how much French you know after just a few days!

4.5 out of 5

"Rocket Languages is
our Editors' Choice for
language-learning"

PC MAG

Yours sincerely,

Marie-Claire Rivière

Marie-Claire Rivière
Rocket French

05-24-12 As seen in The New York Times, PC Mag Editors' Choice, Trust Guard - Security Verified, Better Business Bureau, 60 Day - Money back Guarantee Better Business Bureau Trust Guard - Security Verified
Libros Media Ltd - Copyright 2004-2012 | support@rocketlanguages.com
USA: 8721 Santa Monica Blvd #1229, Los Angeles, CA 90069-4057, USA | Phone: +1-310-862-1460
Asia/Pacific: 2-1008 Ferry Road, Woolston, Christchurch 8023, New Zealand | Phone: +64-3-384-6350