The French word for the number 4 is quatre. It is used to count objects, give quantities, tell the time, and talk about a group of four. The final e is silent, and the word has one syllable. For practice in sequence, see 1 to 10 in French.
4 = quatre, pronounced approximately “katr.”
How to Say 4 in French
The French cardinal number four is quatre. It stays the same before masculine and feminine nouns: quatre livres (“four books”) and quatre tables (“four tables”). Unlike English, French does not change this number according to the gender of the thing being counted.
Meaning: four (4)
Using Quatre in Context
Counting Objects
Put quatre before the plural noun: quatre pommes means “four apples,” and quatre enfants means “four children.” The number does not take a plural ending in ordinary use; the noun carries the plural marking.
Telling the Time
To say four o’clock, use quatre heures. In a full sentence, Il est quatre heures means “It is four o’clock.” The word heures is plural because the number is greater than one.
Describing a Group
Use Nous sommes quatre to say “There are four of us.” In this sentence, the number stands on its own rather than modifying a noun. You can also use une table pour quatre (“a table for four”) when making a restaurant reservation.
Dates and Ordinals
For the fourth day of the month, French uses the ordinal quatrième, not quatre: le quatre avril means “April 4,” while le quatrième jour means “the fourth day.” Distinguish the number itself from its ordinal form when giving dates or describing order.
How to Pronounce Quatre
Quatre is pronounced roughly “katr,” in one syllable. The final written e is silent. The French r is produced at the back of the throat. The final t is often silent before a consonant, but in some connected phrases it may be heard through liaison before a vowel sound. Listen to the complete phrase to hear how the sounds join.
Example Sentences with Quatre
| French | English | Context |
|---|---|---|
| J’ai quatre pommes. | I have four apples. | Counting things |
| Il est quatre heures. | It is four o’clock. | Time |
| Nous sommes quatre. | There are four of us. | Group size |
| Une table pour quatre, s’il vous plaît. | A table for four, please. | Restaurant |
French Numbers One to Ten
Practice quatre as part of the basic counting sequence. Say each number slowly, then repeat the sequence at a natural pace.
| Number | French | Number | French |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | un | 6 | six |
| 2 | deux | 7 | sept |
| 3 | trois | 8 | huit |
| 4 | quatre | 9 | neuf |
| 5 | cinq | 10 | dix |
Frequently Asked Questions About 4 in French
Quick answers about spelling, pronunciation, and use.
What is 4 in French?
Four is quatre.
How do you pronounce quatre?
It is pronounced roughly “katr.” The final e is silent.
Does quatre change for feminine nouns?
No. Quatre has the same form before masculine and feminine nouns.
How do you say “the fourth” in French?
Use quatrième, the ordinal form of four.
Summary: How to Say 4 in French
The French word for 4 is quatre, pronounced roughly “katr.” Use it before plural nouns, for quantities, and to tell the time. For “fourth,” use quatrième.
