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A1 noun #1,000 الأكثر شيوعاً 12 دقيقة للقراءة

nombre

الأكثر شيوعاً #1,000

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح nombre في 30 ثانية

الشرح nombre in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'nombre' is introduced as a basic noun to describe quantities. Learners focus on simple phrases like 'un grand nombre' (a large number) or 'un petit nombre' (a small number). The primary goal is to distinguish 'nombre' from 'numéro'. A1 students learn that when they want to say 'There are a lot of...', they can use 'un grand nombre de...'. They also learn that 'nombre' is masculine ('un nombre'). The context is usually very concrete: counting students in a class, items in a bag, or days in a month. At this stage, the grammatical nuances of verb agreement are mentioned but not strictly enforced, as the focus is on basic communication and vocabulary acquisition. Examples: 'Le nombre d'étudiants est dix.' 'C'est un grand nombre.'

At the A2 level, students begin to use 'nombre' in more varied contexts, such as describing trends or simple statistics. They learn expressions like 'le nombre augmente' (the number is increasing) or 'le nombre diminue' (the number is decreasing). The distinction between 'nombre' and 'chiffre' is introduced more clearly. A2 learners are expected to use 'nombre' correctly in descriptions of their daily life or surroundings. They also start to encounter 'nombre' in the context of grammar (singular vs. plural). They should be able to ask questions about quantities using 'nombre', such as 'Quel est le nombre de... ?'. The focus shifts from just knowing the word to using it in simple, functional sentences about the world around them.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B1 level, learners encounter 'nombre' in more abstract and professional contexts. They learn to use 'un certain nombre de' (a certain number of) to express a moderate quantity. They are expected to handle the grammatical agreement correctly: 'Le nombre de personnes qui viennent est...' (singular verb). B1 students also start to see 'nombre' in news articles and reports, often related to social issues or economics. They learn fixed mathematical terms like 'nombre entier' (whole number) or 'nombre pair/impair' (even/odd number). The word becomes a tool for expressing opinions and providing data to support arguments. They also learn that 'nombre de' (without an article) can mean 'many' in a more formal register.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the B2 level, 'nombre' is used with greater precision and in more complex structures. Learners are expected to understand the nuance between 'un grand nombre de' (which can take a plural verb) and 'le nombre de' (which takes a singular verb). They encounter idiomatic expressions like 'la force du nombre' (strength in numbers) or 'au nombre de' (amounting to). B2 students use 'nombre' in academic or technical discussions, such as talking about 'le nombre d'or' (the golden ratio) or statistical probability. They can distinguish between 'nombre' and 'quantité' based on countability. The word is no longer just a label for a count but a concept used to analyze and describe complex situations, trends, and proportions in society and science.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C1 level, learners explore the literary and rhetorical uses of 'nombre'. They understand the historical connection to rhythm and harmony in prose (le nombre de la phrase). They use 'nombre' in sophisticated expressions like 'sans nombre' (countless) or 'faire nombre' (to be there just for the count). C1 students can use 'nombre' to discuss philosophical or high-level mathematical concepts with ease. They are sensitive to the register of the word, knowing when to use 'nombre de' for a formal tone versus 'beaucoup de' for a neutral one. They can also navigate the subtle differences between 'nombre', 'multitude', 'pléthore', and 'effectif' to choose the most precise term for a given context, demonstrating a near-native command of the language's nuances.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

At the C2 level, the mastery of 'nombre' is complete. The speaker uses the word with total precision across all domains—scientific, literary, administrative, and colloquial. They can discuss the linguistic evolution of the word from Latin and its role in various French idioms. C2 learners can use 'nombre' to construct complex arguments, using it as a pivot for statistical analysis or as a rhetorical device to emphasize scale. They are fully aware of the most obscure uses, such as in ancient music theory or classical poetics. At this level, 'nombre' is not just a vocabulary word but a versatile conceptual tool that the speaker can manipulate to achieve specific stylistic effects, whether in a formal dissertation, a legal document, or a high-level professional negotiation.

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

تدرّب عليها أمثلة ملاحظات ونصائح

nombre في 30 ثانية

Nombre means 'number' in the sense of quantity or mathematical value.
It is a masculine noun: un nombre, le nombre.
Do not confuse it with 'numéro' (identification) or 'chiffre' (digit).
Commonly used in 'un grand nombre de' (a large number of).

The French word nombre is a fundamental noun that primarily translates to 'number' in English, but its usage is more specific than the broad English term. In French, nombre refers specifically to a quantity, a sum, or an arithmetical value. It is the answer to the question 'How many?' (Combien ?). Understanding nombre requires distinguishing it from its cousins: chiffre (digit) and numéro (identifier). While an English speaker might use 'number' for a phone number, a house number, or the number of people in a room, a French speaker must choose carefully. Nombre is reserved for the magnitude or the count of things.

Mathematical Quantity: When you are talking about integers, fractions, or any mathematical value, you use nombre. For example, 'un nombre entier' (a whole number) or 'un nombre premier' (a prime number).

Le nombre de participants a doublé cette année.

In everyday conversation, you will hear nombre used to describe groups of people or objects. It is often paired with adjectives like 'grand' (large), 'petit' (small), or 'certain' (certain/some). For instance, 'un grand nombre de personnes' means 'a large number of people'. It conveys a sense of scale and volume. It is also used in grammar to discuss the 'number' of a noun—whether it is singular or plural. This linguistic application is vital for students learning agreement rules in French.

Abstract Concepts: Beyond literal counting, nombre appears in expressions of superiority or strength, such as 'la force du nombre' (strength in numbers). It suggests that the sheer quantity of something provides an advantage.

Il y a un nombre infini de possibilités dans cette situation.

Historically, the word derives from the Latin numerus, which shared this dual meaning of a mathematical value and a rhythmic element in poetry or music. Even today, in very formal or literary French, nombre can refer to the harmony or rhythm of a sentence, though this is rare in modern speech. Most commonly, you will encounter it in news reports discussing statistics, in school during math lessons, or when organizing events where the headcount is important.

Collective Usage: When used with 'de', as in 'nombre de...', it can act as a quantifier meaning 'many' or 'numerous'. 'Nombre de citoyens ont voté' (Many citizens voted).

Nous avons reçu un nombre considérable de lettres de réclamation.

Le nombre total s'élève à cent euros.

To summarize, nombre is the word for the concept of 'how many'. It is used for counting, statistics, mathematics, and grammatical plurality. It is a versatile tool for any French learner, provided they avoid the 'numéro' trap. Whether you are counting stars, calculating taxes, or discussing the population of a city, nombre is your go-to term for expressing quantity.

Using nombre correctly involves understanding its role as a masculine noun and its common phrasal structures. The most frequent construction is le nombre de followed by a plural noun. Interestingly, even though the noun following 'de' is plural, the verb that follows usually agrees with le nombre (singular). For example: 'Le nombre de voitures est impressionnant' (The number of cars is impressive). This mirrors English grammar but is a common point of confusion for learners who see the plural 'voitures' and want to use a plural verb.

Quantifying with 'Un grand nombre de': When you use the indefinite article 'un', as in 'Un grand nombre de...', the verb can often be plural because the focus is on the many individuals rather than the single total. 'Un grand nombre d'étudiants sont partis' (A large number of students have left).

Quel est le nombre exact de pages dans ce livre ?

Another important usage is in mathematical contexts. You will often hear 'nombre entier' (whole number), 'nombre pair' (even number), and 'nombre impair' (odd number). These are essential for anyone dealing with data, finance, or science in French. In these cases, nombre acts as a standard noun modified by an adjective. Note that the adjective always follows the noun in these technical terms.

Fixed Expressions: Expressions like 'en grand nombre' (in large numbers) or 'au nombre de' (amounting to) are common in formal writing and news reporting. 'Ils sont venus en grand nombre' (They came in large numbers).

Les victimes sont au nombre de trois.

In social contexts, you might use nombre to discuss limits. 'Nous devons limiter le nombre d'invités' (We must limit the number of guests). Here, it functions as a boundary or a specific count. In more advanced French, you might encounter 'sans nombre', which means 'innumerable' or 'countless'. 'J'ai des souvenirs sans nombre de cet été' (I have countless memories of that summer).

Grammatical Agreement: Remember that 'nombre' is masculine. Therefore, any adjective modifying it must be masculine: 'un petit nombre', 'le nombre croissant'.

Il existe un nombre restreint de places disponibles.

Le nombre d'or est une proportion mathématique célèbre.

To master nombre, practice using it in various contexts: counting items, discussing statistics, and using fixed mathematical terms. Always pause to ensure you shouldn't be using 'numéro' instead. If you are talking about a quantity that can be measured or counted, nombre is almost certainly the correct choice.

The word nombre is ubiquitous in French life, appearing in diverse settings from the classroom to the nightly news. In an academic setting, students hear it constantly. Teachers use it to explain mathematical concepts, such as 'les nombres décimaux' (decimal numbers) or 'les nombres négatifs' (negative numbers). It is the backbone of quantitative reasoning in the French education system.

In the News and Media: Journalists frequently use nombre when reporting on demographics, economics, or social trends. You might hear: 'Le nombre de chômeurs a baissé' (The number of unemployed people has decreased) or 'Un grand nombre de manifestants se sont réunis' (A large number of protesters gathered).

Selon les derniers sondages, le nombre de partisans augmente.

In the business world, nombre is used in meetings to discuss performance metrics. Managers talk about 'le nombre de ventes' (the number of sales) or 'le nombre de nouveaux clients' (the number of new clients). It is a professional word that conveys precision and factual data. Unlike 'beaucoup', which is more subjective, nombre implies a count that has been or could be performed.

In Everyday Conversation: While 'beaucoup' is more common for 'a lot', people use 'un certain nombre de' or 'bon nombre de' when they want to sound slightly more precise or formal. For example, 'J'ai un certain nombre de choses à faire' (I have a certain number of things to do).

Il y a un nombre incroyable de touristes à Paris en été.

In literature and formal speeches, nombre can take on a more poetic or rhetorical weight. A politician might speak of 'le grand nombre' to refer to the masses or the majority of the population. In this context, it carries a sociological weight, representing the collective power of the people. It is also found in the phrase 'faire nombre', which means to be present just to fill up space or to increase the headcount without necessarily contributing much else.

Sports and Games: Commentators use it to discuss statistics: 'le nombre de buts' (the number of goals), 'le nombre de fautes' (the number of fouls), or 'le nombre de points'.

Le nombre de spectateurs a battu tous les records.

On a un nombre limité de tentatives.

Whether you are reading a newspaper, listening to a podcast about science, or simply chatting with a friend about how many people are coming to dinner, nombre is the essential term for quantifying the world around you. Its frequency in both formal and informal registers makes it a cornerstone of the French language.

The most frequent mistake English speakers make with nombre is using it as a direct translation for every instance of the English word 'number'. In English, 'number' is a 'catch-all' term, but French is much more precise. This leads to three main areas of confusion: nombre vs. numéro, nombre vs. chiffre, and grammatical agreement errors.

The 'Numéro' Trap: English speakers often say 'mon nombre de téléphone' or 'le nombre de ma maison'. This is incorrect. Use numéro for identification or labels in a sequence (phone numbers, street numbers, bus numbers, lottery numbers). Use nombre only for quantities.

Faux: Quel est ton nombre de téléphone ?
Juste: Quel est ton numéro de téléphone ?

Another common error involves chiffre. A chiffre is a single digit (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9). A nombre is the value represented by those digits. For example, the number 42 is a nombre composed of two chiffres (4 and 2). Confusing these two makes you sound mathematically imprecise. Additionally, 'chiffre' is used for 'figures' in business, like 'chiffre d'affaires' (turnover/revenue).

Verb Agreement Confusion: As mentioned before, learners often use a plural verb with 'Le nombre de...'. Remember: 'Le nombre de participants est' (The number is), not 'sont'. The subject is the singular 'nombre', not the plural 'participants'.

Faux: Le nombre d'accidents ont diminué.
Juste: Le nombre d'accidents a diminué.

Gender errors are also frequent. Because 'nombre' ends in 'e', many learners assume it is feminine. It is masculine: un nombre, le nombre. Using 'une nombre' is a hallmark of a beginner's mistake. Furthermore, avoid using 'nombre' when you mean 'size' (taille/pointure). If you are asking for a shoe size, do not ask for a 'nombre', ask for a 'pointure'.

Confusion with 'Quantité': While often interchangeable, 'quantité' is usually used for uncountable things (a quantity of water), whereas 'nombre' is used for countable things (a number of bottles).

Faux: Il y a un grand nombre de sable.
Juste: Il y a une grande quantité de sable.

Faux: Je chausse un nombre 42.
Juste: Je fais du 42 / Ma pointure est 42.

By being mindful of these distinctions, you will avoid the most common pitfalls that plague English-speaking learners. Precision in choosing between nombre, numéro, and chiffre is a key step toward achieving fluency and sounding like a native speaker.

While nombre is the standard word for quantity, French offers several alternatives depending on the context and the desired level of formality. Understanding these synonyms helps you vary your vocabulary and express nuances of scale and type.

Quantité vs. Nombre: Quantité is the most direct alternative. However, as noted previously, quantité is often used for uncountable masses (water, air, courage), while nombre is strictly for countable units (people, books, days). You can say 'une grande quantité de riz' but 'un grand nombre de grains de riz'.

La quantité de travail est énorme cette semaine.

For large, often overwhelming numbers of people or things, you might use multitude or foule. Multitude suggests a vast, almost uncountably large number, often used in a literary or dramatic sense. Foule specifically refers to a crowd of people. 'Une foule de détails' is a common expression meaning 'a ton of details'.

Chiffre and Numéro: These are the primary 'false friends' for nombre. Chiffre is the digit (0-9) or a financial figure. Numéro is an identifying label. If you are talking about a 'number' in a sequence, like 'Number 1 in the charts', you use numéro.

Il est le numéro un mondial au tennis.

In formal writing, you can use maint (many a) or maintes. This is quite old-fashioned but still appears in literature. For example, 'à maintes reprises' (on many occasions). Another formal alternative is pléthore, which implies an overabundance or an excessive number of something. 'Une pléthore de choix' (A plethora of choices).

Total and Effectif: In administrative or military contexts, effectif refers to the number of people in a specific group (staff, troops, students). 'L'effectif de la classe est de trente' (The class size is thirty). Total is used when emphasizing the final result of an addition.

L'effectif de l'entreprise a augmenté de 10%.

Le total des points est affiché sur l'écran.

By choosing the right word—whether it's the precise nombre, the mass-oriented quantité, the administrative effectif, or the informal plein de—you demonstrate a deeper command of French and can tailor your message to your audience and situation.

How Formal Is It?

حقيقة ممتعة

In ancient times, 'nombre' was also used to describe the harmony and rhythm of music and poetry, a sense that survives in very high-level literary French today.

دليل النطق

UK /nɔ̃bʁ/

US /noʊm-brə/

The stress is on the single syllable 'nombre'.

يتقافى مع

sombre encombre pénombre concombre décombre ombre plombre rombre

أخطاء شائعة

Pronouncing the 'm' clearly instead of nasalizing the 'o'.
Pronouncing the 'e' at the end as a strong 'uh' sound.
Confusing the pronunciation with the English word 'number'.

مستوى الصعوبة

القراءة 1/5

Easy to recognize as it looks like 'number'.

الكتابة 2/5

Requires care with 'numéro' vs 'nombre' and verb agreement.

التحدث 2/5

Nasal pronunciation can be tricky for beginners.

الاستماع 1/5

Clear and distinct in most contexts.

ماذا تتعلّم بعد ذلك

المتطلبات الأساسية

un deux beaucoup grand petit

تعلّم لاحقاً

numéro chiffre quantité plusieurs certain

متقدم

dénombrer innombrable arithmétique statistique proportion

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Agreement with 'Le nombre de'

Le nombre de chats est (singular) grand.

Agreement with 'Un grand nombre de'

Un grand nombre de chats sont (plural) noirs.

Masculine gender of 'nombre'

Un petit nombre.

Nasal 'o' before 'm'

Pronunciation of 'nom-bre'.

Grammatical number (singular/plural)

Le nom 'chats' est au pluriel (le nombre).

سجّل مجاناً لقراءة الشرح الكامل

أمثلة حسب المستوى

Il y a un grand nombre d'élèves dans la classe.

There is a large number of students in the class.

Use 'un grand nombre de' followed by a plural noun.

Quel est le nombre de pommes dans le sac ?

What is the number of apples in the bag?

'Le nombre de' is used to ask for a specific count.

C'est un petit nombre.

It is a small number.

'Nombre' is a masculine noun.

Le nombre de jours en janvier est trente et un.

The number of days in January is thirty-one.

The verb 'est' agrees with 'le nombre'.

Je connais un grand nombre de chansons.

I know a large number of songs.

'Nombre de' is followed by a plural noun.

Le nombre deux est mon préféré.

The number two is my favorite.

'Nombre' can precede a specific value.

Il y a un nombre limité de places.

There is a limited number of seats.

'Limité' agrees with the masculine 'nombre'.

Comptez le nombre de chaises.

Count the number of chairs.

Imperative form 'comptez' used with 'le nombre'.

Le nombre de touristes augmente chaque été.

The number of tourists increases every summer.

The verb 'augmente' is singular to agree with 'le nombre'.

Nous avons un certain nombre de questions.

We have a certain number of questions.

'Un certain nombre de' means 'some' or 'a few'.

Le nombre total de points est vingt.

The total number of points is twenty.

'Total' is an adjective modifying 'nombre'.

Il y a un nombre croissant de voitures électriques.

There is an increasing number of electric cars.

'Croissant' means 'growing' or 'increasing'.

Quel est le nombre d'habitants dans cette ville ?

What is the number of inhabitants in this city?

Use 'd'' before a word starting with a vowel.

Le nombre de pages est indiqué à la fin.

The number of pages is indicated at the end.

Passive construction 'est indiqué'.

Elle a un grand nombre d'amis sur les réseaux sociaux.

She has a large number of friends on social media.

'Un grand nombre de' is a common quantifier.

Le nombre de fautes a diminué.

The number of mistakes has decreased.

Past tense 'a diminué' agrees with 'le nombre'.

Un grand nombre de citoyens ont voté ce matin.

A large number of citizens voted this morning.

With 'un grand nombre de', the verb can be plural.

Le nombre de chômeurs reste stable ce mois-ci.

The number of unemployed people remains stable this month.

Agreement with 'le nombre' (singular).

Il faut choisir un nombre entre un et cent.

You must choose a number between one and one hundred.

'Nombre' refers to a mathematical value here.

Bon nombre de gens préfèrent travailler à domicile.

Quite a few people prefer to work from home.

'Bon nombre de' is a common idiomatic quantifier.

Le nombre de calories est marqué sur l'étiquette.

The number of calories is marked on the label.

Countable quantity 'calories'.

Nous avons reçu un nombre considérable de plaintes.

We received a considerable number of complaints.

'Considérable' emphasizes the large quantity.

Le nombre de participants a dépassé nos attentes.

The number of participants exceeded our expectations.

The verb 'a dépassé' agrees with 'le nombre'.

C'est un nombre impair, donc on ne peut pas diviser par deux.

It's an odd number, so we can't divide by two.

'Nombre impair' means 'odd number'.

Le nombre d'or se retrouve souvent dans la nature.

The golden ratio is often found in nature.

'Le nombre d'or' is a specific mathematical term.

Un certain nombre de facteurs influencent le climat.

A certain number of factors influence the climate.

Plural verb 'influencent' after 'un certain nombre de'.

La force du nombre a permis de gagner la bataille.

The strength in numbers allowed the battle to be won.

'La force du nombre' is an idiomatic expression.

Le nombre de cas de grippe est en forte hausse.

The number of flu cases is rising sharply.

'En forte hausse' means 'rising sharply'.

Ils sont au nombre de douze dans le jury.

There are twelve of them on the jury.

'Au nombre de' means 'amounting to'.

Le nombre de pixels détermine la résolution de l'image.

The number of pixels determines the image resolution.

Technical usage of 'nombre'.

Il existe un nombre infini de solutions à ce problème.

There exists an infinite number of solutions to this problem.

'Nombre infini' means 'infinite number'.

Le nombre de victimes reste à confirmer par les autorités.

The number of victims remains to be confirmed by the authorities.

Formal administrative context.

Nombre de chercheurs s'accordent sur cette théorie.

Many researchers agree on this theory.

'Nombre de' at the start of a sentence is very formal.

Les souvenirs sans nombre de mon enfance me reviennent.

The countless memories of my childhood come back to me.

'Sans nombre' means 'innumerable'.

Il ne voulait pas participer, il était là pour faire nombre.

He didn't want to participate; he was there just to make up the numbers.

'Faire nombre' means to be present just for the headcount.

La prose de cet auteur possède un nombre remarquable.

This author's prose has a remarkable rhythm.

Literary sense of 'nombre' meaning harmony/rhythm.

Le nombre des élus est restreint par la constitution.

The number of elected officials is restricted by the constitution.

Formal use of 'le nombre des' (plural article).

On a dénombré un nombre incalculable d'étoiles.

An incalculable number of stars were counted.

'Incalculable' is a strong synonym for 'grand'.

Le nombre de la bête est un concept apocalyptique.

The number of the beast is an apocalyptic concept.

Symbolic/Religious usage.

Il y a un nombre de paramètres trop important pour conclure.

There are too many parameters to reach a conclusion.

Scientific/Analytical context.

L'harmonie du vers repose sur le nombre de syllabes.

The harmony of the verse rests on the number of syllables.

Technical term in French versification.

La théorie des nombres est une branche pure des mathématiques.

Number theory is a pure branch of mathematics.

'Théorie des nombres' is a specific academic field.

Le nombre de substantifs déclinables varie selon les langues.

The number of declinable nouns varies according to the language.

Linguistic context referring to grammatical number.

Il s'est perdu dans le nombre, oubliant l'individu.

He lost himself in the mass, forgetting the individual.

Philosophical/Sociological usage.

Le nombre complexe est une extension des nombres réels.

The complex number is an extension of real numbers.

Advanced mathematical terminology.

La loi du plus grand nombre régit souvent la démocratie.

The law of the greatest number often governs democracy.

Political philosophy concept.

Cette œuvre se distingue par le nombre et la grâce de son style.

This work is distinguished by the rhythm and grace of its style.

High literary usage of 'nombre'.

Le nombre de Mach mesure la vitesse par rapport au son.

The Mach number measures speed relative to sound.

Scientific constant/measurement.

تلازمات شائعة

grand nombre

petit nombre

nombre entier

nombre premier

nombre pair

nombre impair

nombre croissant

nombre limité

nombre d'or

nombre total

العبارات الشائعة

un certain nombre de

— Used to mean 'some' or 'a few' in a neutral way.

J'ai un certain nombre de choses à vous dire.

bon nombre de

— A common way to say 'many' or 'quite a few'.

Bon nombre d'étudiants ont réussi l'examen.

au nombre de

— Used to specify the exact count of a group.

Les participants étaient au nombre de cinquante.

en grand nombre

— In large quantities or numbers.

Les oiseaux migrateurs arrivent en grand nombre.

le nombre de

— The specific quantity of something.

Le nombre de pages est insuffisant.

nombre de

— A formal way to say 'many' at the start of a sentence.

Nombre de gens pensent que c'est possible.

sans nombre

— Countless or innumerable.

Il a commis des erreurs sans nombre.

faire nombre

— To be present just to increase the headcount.

Il ne sert à rien, il est juste là pour faire nombre.

en petit nombre

— In small quantities.

Ils sont venus en petit nombre cette fois.

réduire le nombre

— To decrease the quantity.

Nous devons réduire le nombre d'accidents.

يُخلط عادةً مع

nombre vs numéro

Used for identification (phone, house, bus). 'Nombre' is for quantity.

nombre vs chiffre

Used for single digits (0-9) or business figures. 'Nombre' is the value.

nombre vs quantité

Often for uncountable things. 'Nombre' is for countable things.

تعبيرات اصطلاحية

"La force du nombre"

— The advantage or power gained by having many people.

Ils ont gagné grâce à la force du nombre.

neutral

"Le nombre d'or"

— The mathematical proportion (phi) considered aesthetically pleasing.

L'architecte a utilisé le nombre d'or.

academic

"Être du nombre"

— To be one of the group or among those mentioned.

Je suis heureux d'être du nombre des invités.

formal

"Loi du plus grand nombre"

— The principle that the majority rules.

La démocratie suit la loi du plus grand nombre.

political

"Nombre de la bête"

— The biblical number 666.

Il a peur du nombre de la bête.

religious

"Dans le nombre"

— Among the lot or within the group.

Dans le nombre, il y a quelques bons éléments.

neutral

"Surcharge du nombre"

— When there are too many people or things for a space.

La salle souffre d'une surcharge du nombre.

formal

"Le grand nombre"

— The masses or the majority of people.

Il faut éduquer le grand nombre.

sociological

"Compter le nombre"

— To perform a headcount or tally.

Il faut compter le nombre de survivants.

neutral

"Sans nombre"

— So many that they cannot be counted.

Elle a des qualités sans nombre.

literary

سهل الخلط

nombre vs numéro

Both translate to 'number' in English.

'Numéro' is a label or position in a series. 'Nombre' is a total quantity.

Mon numéro de chambre est le 5, mais le nombre de lits est 2.

nombre vs chiffre

Both are mathematical terms.

'Chiffre' is the symbol (like a letter). 'Nombre' is the idea of the quantity (like a word).

Le nombre 10 s'écrit avec deux chiffres : 1 et 0.

nombre vs taille

English uses 'number' for clothing sizes sometimes.

In French, use 'taille' for clothes and 'pointure' for shoes.

Quelle est ta taille ? (Not: Quel est ton nombre ?)

nombre vs montant

Both refer to a total.

'Montant' is specifically for money. 'Nombre' is for countable items.

Le montant de la facture est 50 euros.

nombre vs plusieurs

Both indicate more than one.

'Plusieurs' is an indefinite pronoun/adjective. 'Nombre' is a noun.

Plusieurs personnes sont là. Un grand nombre de personnes sont là.

أنماط الجُمل

Le nombre de [X] est [Y].

Le nombre de livres est cinq.

Il y a un grand nombre de [X].

Il y a un grand nombre de touristes.

Un certain nombre de [X] [Verb-Plural].

Un certain nombre de gens pensent cela.

Au nombre de [Value].

Ils sont au nombre de dix.

Nombre de [X] [Verb-Plural].

Nombre de citoyens s'opposent au projet.

[X] sans nombre.

Des richesses sans nombre.

Le nombre de [X] augmente/diminue.

Le nombre de ventes augmente.

Quel est le nombre de [X] ?

Quel est le nombre de participants ?

عائلة الكلمة

الأسماء

numérotage

numération

numérateur

dénombrement

الأفعال

nombrer

numéroter

dénombrer

énumérer

الصفات

nombreux

numérique

numéral

innombrable

مرتبط

chiffre

numéro

quantité

multitude

calcul

سجّل مجاناً لرؤية جميع الأمثلة

كيفية الاستخدام

frequency

Extremely high in all domains.

أخطاء شائعة

Mon nombre de téléphone. → Mon numéro de téléphone.
Use 'numéro' for identification labels like phone numbers.
Le nombre de gens sont là. → Le nombre de gens est là.
The verb agrees with the singular 'nombre', not the plural 'gens'.
Une grand nombre. → Un grand nombre.
'Nombre' is a masculine noun.
Le chiffre de participants. → Le nombre de participants.
'Chiffre' is a digit; 'nombre' is the total quantity.
J'ai nombre d'amis. → J'ai un grand nombre d'amis.
You usually need an article unless it's a very formal sentence start.

نصائح

Verb Agreement

Remember: 'Le nombre de...' + singular verb. 'Un grand nombre de...' + plural verb. This is a key distinction for advanced learners.

The ID Rule

If the number is used to identify something (like a bus or a room), use 'numéro'. If you are counting things, use 'nombre'.

Nasal 'O'

The 'on' in 'nombre' is a nasal vowel. Don't let your tongue touch the roof of your mouth for the 'n' or 'm'.

Bon Nombre

'Bon nombre de' is a very natural-sounding way to say 'quite a few' in both spoken and written French.

Math Terms

Learn 'nombre entier', 'pair', and 'impair' early. They are very common in technical and daily contexts.

Formal Quantifiers

In professional emails, use 'un grand nombre de' instead of 'beaucoup de' to sound more polished.

Context Clues

If you hear 'augmenter' or 'diminuer', the speaker is almost certainly using 'nombre' to discuss a statistic.

Statistics

French news loves 'les nombres'. Pay attention to how they report population or economic changes.

N is for Number

Nombre = Number (Quantity). Numéro = Number (Label). Both start with N, but 'Nombre' is for counting.

Gender Check

Always treat 'nombre' as masculine. 'Le grand nombre', 'Un petit nombre'. Never use 'la' or 'une'.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'Nombre' as 'Number of things'. Both start with 'N'. It's for counting, not for labels.

ربط بصري

Imagine a giant calculator screen showing a large quantity of people standing in a line. The screen says 'Nombre: 500'.

Word Web

Mathématiques Quantité Compter Statistiques Pluriel Total Chiffre Calcul

تحدٍّ

Try to use 'nombre' in three different ways today: once for a math fact, once for a group of people, and once in the expression 'un grand nombre de'.

أصل الكلمة

Derived from the Old French 'nombre', which comes from the Latin 'numerus'. The Latin root refers to a part, a number, or a rhythmic measure.

المعنى الأصلي: A quantity, a sum, or a rhythmic element in poetry.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French.

السياق الثقافي

No specific sensitivities, but be careful when discussing 'le nombre de victimes' in sensitive news contexts.

English speakers often use 'number' for everything. In French, you must separate 'nombre' (quantity) from 'numéro' (ID).

The book 'Le Nombre d'Or' by Matila Ghyka. The mathematical field 'Théorie des nombres'. The biblical 'Nombre de la Bête' (666).

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

Mathematics

Nombre entier
Nombre premier
Nombre pair
Nombre décimal

Statistics

Le nombre augmente
Le nombre diminue
Un grand nombre de cas
Le nombre total

Daily Life

Le nombre d'invités
Un certain nombre de choses
Le nombre de pages
En grand nombre

Grammar

Le nombre du nom
Singulier ou pluriel
Accord en nombre
Marque du nombre

Formal Writing

Nombre de...
Sans nombre
Au nombre de
Faire nombre

بدايات محادثة

"Quel est le nombre d'habitants dans ta ville ?"

"Est-ce qu'un grand nombre de personnes parlent français chez toi ?"

"Quel est ton nombre préféré et pourquoi ?"

"Penses-tu que le nombre de voitures va diminuer à l'avenir ?"

"Y a-t-il un grand nombre de musées dans ta région ?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Décris un grand nombre de choses que tu aimerais faire cette année.

Pourquoi le nombre d'amis est-il moins important que la qualité des amis ?

Imagine une situation où la force du nombre est nécessaire.

Quels sont les nombres qui ont une importance particulière dans ta vie ?

Réflexion sur le nombre de langues parlées dans le monde.

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

No, you must use 'numéro'. 'Nombre' is only for quantities. Saying 'mon nombre de téléphone' is a common mistake for English speakers.

It is masculine: 'un nombre'. Even though it ends in 'e', it follows the pattern of many masculine nouns derived from Latin.

'Le nombre de' refers to a specific total and usually takes a singular verb. 'Un grand nombre de' acts as a quantifier like 'many' and often takes a plural verb.

'Nombre pair' for even and 'nombre impair' for odd. Example: 'Deux est un nombre pair'.

Yes, but only in very formal or literary contexts referring to the harmony of prose or poetry. In everyday French, it always means quantity.

It means to be present just to fill a space or increase the headcount, without contributing anything meaningful.

Yes, starting a sentence with 'Nombre de...' (e.g., 'Nombre de gens...') is more formal than using 'Beaucoup de...'.

It is the 'Golden Ratio' (approx 1.618), a mathematical proportion famous in art and nature.

Yes, 'le nombre' in grammar refers to whether a word is singular or plural.

Use the phrase 'un certain nombre de'. It is a neutral way to say 'some' or 'a few'.

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