What is 'number' in French?

Answer 1

Nombre is a general French equivalent of 'number'. It's a masculine noun whose definite article is 'le' ['the'], and whose indefinite article is 'un' ['a, one']. It's pronounced 'nohm-bruh'.

Ex: Il y avait un grand nombre de personnes - there was a great number of people.

Numéro is another equivalent. It's used in the sense of house, page or telephone numbers. It's a masculine noun that's pronounced 'nyoo-meh-roh'.

Ex: J'habite au numéro 4 de la rue - I live at number 4 of the street.

Chiffre is still another equivalent. It's used in the sense of 'figures' and Arabic or Roman 'numerals'. It's a masculine noun that's pronounced 'shee-fruh'.

Ex: le gouvernement a donné les chiffres du chomage - the government published unemployement figures.