Dix · trois sons à retenir
1 · Ten on its own: /dis/
Keep the final /s/ when you stop after the number. The written x has the sound /s/ here.
Combien de places reste-t-il ? — Dix.How many places are left? — Ten.
J’en prends dix.I’ll take ten.
2 · Ten things, before a consonant: /di/
In a connected quantity phrase, the final consonant drops before the next consonant sound.
| dix minutes · /di minyt/ | ten minutes |
| dix livres · /di livʁ/ | ten books |
| dix pommes · /di pɔm/ | ten apples |
3 · Ten things, before a vowel: /diz/
The linking sound is /z/. The silent h in heures allows this connection.
| dix heures · /dizœʁ/ | ten o’clock |
| dix euros · /dizøʁo/ | ten euros |
| dix oranges · /dizɔʁɑ̃ʒ/ | ten oranges |
4 · A label or compound: learn the whole number
A room number names the room; it is a different use from counting ten rooms. Compounds also keep their own pronunciation.
| dix-sept · /disɛt/ | seventeen |
| dix-huit · /dizɥit/ | eighteen |
| dix-neuf · /diznœf/ | nineteen |
La salle dix ferme bientôt.Room ten is closing soon.
Le rendez-vous est à dix-sept heures.The appointment is at five pm.