No extra errors! Your full information to understanding French telephone numbers

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 instances worse after I was on the telephone and never head to head. 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 fast succession on the opposite finish of the road, it’s sufficient to make you need to dangle up the telephone solely and query your life decisions. I child. Sort of. However don’t despair!

Let’s find out about French telephone numbers and the way they’re structured so you cannot 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 shifting 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 proper method to write a French telephone quantity is essential 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 essential that you simply learn to say and acknowledge French telephone numbers (to not point out your personal!) and that every one begins with studying common ol’ French numbers. 

Whereas most numbers are simple sufficient and you may study 0-69 shortly, when you hit the quantity 70, your mind might have to recalibrate as a result of it’s important to do some fast math. Even right now, after a decade in France, I can actually say that after I have to rattle off a quantity between 70-99, I take an additional second to ensure I’m saying the proper 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 have now 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, nicely, after all 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 got a 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 sometimes have ten digits and are written in pairs of two digits every with every pair separated by areas or durations.

The nation code for France is a further two digits earlier than the ten most important ones, +33, so pay attention to 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 may 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 individuals might use hyphens as a substitute of areas or durations, whereas others might embody the nation code when giving their quantity to somebody exterior of France.

Regardless although, they’re at all times spoken and written as a single variety of two digits and observe acknowledged 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. In the event you’re dialing from a landline in america, you’d first dial the 011 worldwide entry code that lets the operator connect 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’ll be able to make sure that your French telephone quantity is written accurately and simply understood by others. However that’s simpler mentioned than performed if you nonetheless don’t have a terrific deal with on French, not to mention all of the quantity varieties and observe with all of the two-digit numbers.

Format of French telephone numbers

The French numbering system will be complicated for non-native audio system. The instance I gave within the intro with numbers increased 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 normally acknowledged 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 strains), cell, or non-geographic quantity. The next desk reveals the realm codes for the completely different areas in France:

06 and 07 prefixes aren’t geography particular. They simply 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 at all times 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 an easy course of. 

One cool factor to notice is that there aren’t 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 will be the exception.

Now again to numbers being complicated for us French learners. The opposite problem is that in case your ear isn’t used to listening to these quantity pairs — or giving them — you’ll be able to journey your self up. French telephone numbers will be fairly lengthy and sophisticated, with some numbers having implicit math inside the title, 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 problem for French learners in the case of French telephone numbers. While you hear every pair, you could be tempted to jot down down the very first thing you hear as a substitute of ready for the multiword quantity to be full earlier than shifting onto the subsequent pair. This was an enormous downside for me!

What I imply is, you may hear soixante-douze which is 72 however you’d acknowledge the numbers individually. So that you’d shortly write down 60 (soixante) or 12 (douze) upon listening to it, not realizing the entire two-word quantity is definitely 72.

That was SO nerve-racking 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 quick time period, it didn’t assist me in the long run.

Cellphone numbers would make me need to run and conceal. I used to be so relieved after I’d should say or write a telephone quantity with digits below 70.

One thing else that will 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 cut up second too lengthy for the particular person 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 shortly so it might be understood as one pair of digits. After which I’d have to begin 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 in the event you’ve been there too, you are feeling me on this!

7 Issues that I nonetheless don’t perceive about life in France >>

Photograph credit score: Depositphotos.com/georgejmclittle

Particular instances 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 usually customer support numbers.

The price of calling these numbers varies relying on the service supplier and the kind of name. Freephone numbers, often known as “numéro vert,” are free to name from landlines and cellular phone numbers.

French emergency telephone numbers

In case of an emergency in France, it’s not 911! Commit 112 to reminiscence as a substitute and use it to succeed in the European emergency quantity. You’ll be routed appropriately despite the fact that 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 will be known as totally free 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 here are a number of to be careful for:

Together with the preliminary 0 when dialing internationally and forgetting the nation code.

One of the widespread errors individuals 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 have to depart 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 provides 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 solely

These numbers come at you shortly and it’s solely regular to ask individuals to talk slower or repeat themselves till you get it proper. In the event you combine up the order of the numbers or get them fallacious solely, you might find yourself calling the fallacious particular person or not with the ability to get by way of in any respect.

Ideas for not shedding your thoughts over French telephone numbers

I bear in mind how tough the early days have been. French telephone numbers could be a little complicated at first, however with a number of ideas and a little bit of time and observe, it turns into simpler. 

Listed here are some useful strategies to bear in mind when making an attempt to jot down down and provides a French telephone quantity:

-Do not forget 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 fashion as nicely.

What I imply is, be type of fast in the event you’re going to rattle off a 99 and don’t pause awkwardly between quatre, vingt, dix or neuf. In the event you pause, it’ll result in confusion as a result of the particular person on the receiving finish gained’t know in the event you mentioned 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 mentioned, my quantity incorporates a 99 and I’ve realized from doing it fallacious sufficient instances.

Remember 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 these items. It’s higher to get the quantity proper than to save lots of face.

Go away 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 a giant ego right here. 

-Use repetition and visualization to recollect telephone numbers. One method to bear in mind French telephone numbers is to repeat them a number of instances and visualize the digits in your thoughts. Research French numbers as much as 99 and even make flash playing cards so you’ll be able to observe those that provide the most bother.

-All the time repeat the quantity again to the particular person 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 particular person.

That approach, I do know I’m getting it proper and might decelerate the stream of the numbers coming at me. I discover native French audio system do that as nicely, so it’s completely regular to do the identical.

Let me clarify what I mea. In the event 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 subsequent 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 right now and generally nonetheless catch a number of errors.

-Follow French telephone numbers by yourself time. I’d arrange workouts 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 associate is my husband Tom and for a number of weeks, we’d have nightly telephone quantity observe the place he’d give me French telephone numbers to jot down down and now have me observe giving mine.

We’d do that head to head and in addition with him on the telephone out of sight. He’d be a traditional man to start with after which faux he was a fast-talker, a mumbler, somebody with no endurance, 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. Positively take my ideas into consideration and observe, observe, and observe some extra so you’ll be able to keep away from any confusion when making calls in France.

What’s your expertise been with French telephone numbers?

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