French · Time, Numbers & Colors

"Sixteen" in French: seize

seize

Say it: SEZnumber/sɛz/

Sixteen in French is seize. It is invariable: seize euros, seize ans. Sixteenth is seizième.

Age

Il a seize ans et passe son permis.
He's sixteen and taking his driving test.
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How to pronounce seize

Say it

SEZ

/sɛz/

Seize: SEZ. Ei like e in "bed"; final e soft. Close to English "sez".

"Sixteen" in French: quick reference

FrenchEnglish
seizesixteen

Cardinal.

seize heures4 p.m. (16:00)

24-hour time.

seizièmesixteenth

Ordinal.

sweet sixteen (loan)sweet sixteen

Rare; French usually just says seize ans.

How to use seize in real life

  1. 1Age

    Il a seize ans et passe son permis.

    He's sixteen and taking his driving test.

    Seize ans.

  2. 2Schedule

    Le cours commence à seize heures.

    Class starts at 4 p.m.

    16 h.

  3. 3Counting

    Il reste seize places assises.

    There are sixteen seats left.

    Seize places.

Mistakes English speakers make with seize

Incorrect: Seizeème.

Correct: Seizième.

Ordinal is seizième.

Incorrect: Sixteen heures.

Correct: Seize heures.

Use seize.

Good to know

At seize ans many teens start thinking about the permis. On clocks and chats, 16 h is late afternoon, not "sixteen hours long".

Try it in a ChatPal conversation

Choosing a movie time

  1. ChatPal

    Séance de seize heures, ça te va ?

    Does the four o'clock showing work?

  2. You

    Oui, seize heures c'est parfait.

    Yes, sixteen hundred hours is perfect.

  3. ChatPal

    Je prends les places.

    I'll get the tickets.

  4. You

    Merci. Popcorn pour deux.

    Thanks. Popcorn for two.

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"Sixteen" in other languages

FAQ

Common questions about "Sixteen" in French

How do you say sixteen?

Seize.

Sixteenth?

Seizième.

4 p.m.?

Seize heures / 16 h.

Pronunciation?

SEZ.

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