1 in French = un / une

The number 1 in French is "un" (masculine) pronounced "uhn" or "une" (feminine) pronounced "ewn". French numbers agree with gender.

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Un (masculine):

• One syllable: un
• "Uhn" (nasal vowel)
• Like "uh" with your nose closed
• The "n" is barely pronounced - it nasalizes the vowel

Une (feminine):

• One syllable: une
• "Ewn" (like "oon" in English but with rounded lips)
• The "e" is pronounced, unlike in "un"
• Pure "ü" sound (like German ü)

Common mistakes:

• Pronouncing the "n" fully in "un" - it should be nasal
• Not rounding lips for "une"
• Using "un" with feminine nouns
• Pronouncing "une" like English "one"

Gender Agreement

French numbers 1 change based on the gender of the noun:

Masculine nouns - use "un":

• un livre (one book)
• un chat (one cat)
• un euro (one euro)
• un garçon (one boy)

Feminine nouns - use "une":

• une table (one table)
• une maison (one house)
• une fille (one girl)
• une heure (one hour)

How to know gender: Learning noun gender is essential in French. Check dictionary or memorize with article.

Practical Usage

Counting: When counting: un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq... (Uses masculine form by default)

Phone numbers:

• 1 = un
• Example: 01 45 = zéro un, quarante-cinq

Prices:

• 1€ = un euro (masculine)
• €1.50 = un euro cinquante

Times:

• 1:00 = une heure (feminine - "heure" is feminine)
• 13:00 = treize heures (1 PM in 24-hour format)

Dates:

• 1st = le premier / le 1er (NOT "un")
• January 1st = le premier janvier
• For "1st" use "premier/première", not "un/une"

Ages:

• 1 year old = un an (masculine - "an" is masculine)

Un vs Premier

Important distinction:

• un/une = the number 1 (cardinal)
• premier/première = first (ordinal)

Examples:

• "J'ai un chat" = I have one cat (quantity)
• "C'est mon premier chat" = It's my first cat (order)
• "Le premier janvier" = January 1st (ordinal)

The Article vs. The Number

Un/une can be:

1. An indefinite article (a/an)
2. The number one

Context makes it clear:

• "J'ai un livre" = I have a book (article)
• "J'ai seulement un livre" = I have only one book (number)

Common Phrases

un à un: One by one

un par un: One by one

l'un et l'autre: One and the other, both

ni l'un ni l'autre: Neither one nor the other

un de ces jours: One of these days

c'est tout un: It's all the same

faire un: To make a one, score one point

un instant: One moment

une fois: Once, one time

une à une: One by one (feminine)

Liaison and Elision

Liaison (linking sounds): When "un" comes before a vowel sound, link it:

• un ami = uhn-nah-mee (link the "n")
• un homme = uhn-nomm
• un euro = uhn-neu-roh

21, 31, 41, etc.:

• 21 = vingt et un (no hyphen with "et")
• 31 = trente et un
• 41 = quarante et un

Grammar Notes

With counters:

• Un homme (one man)
• Une femme (one woman)
• Un enfant (one child - masculine)
• Une personne (one person - feminine)

Pronunciation in context:

• "Un" before consonant: uhn
• "Un" before vowel: uhn-n (liaison)

Quick Takeaways

• 1 = un (masculine) or une (feminine)
• Pronounced "uhn" (nasal) or "ewn" (rounded)
• Gender agreement is mandatory
• For "1st" use premier/première, not un/une
• 1:00 = une heure (heure is feminine)
• The "n" in "un" is nasal, barely pronounced
• Make liaison before vowels: un_ami

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If you're traveling in French-speaking countries, TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in French.