Division refers to the process of separating a number into equal parts or groups. In French, division vocabulary helps you express division problems, perform calculations, and understand related concepts.
Core Division Terms
Learn the most common French terms used in division, including key nouns, verbs, and symbols.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la division | les divisions | division | divisions | La division est une opération mathématique. | Division is a mathematical operation. |
| le dividende | les dividendes | dividend | dividends | Le dividende est le nombre à diviser. | The dividend is the number to be divided. |
| le diviseur | les diviseurs | divisor | divisors | Le diviseur divise le dividende. | The divisor divides the dividend. |
| le quotient | les quotients | quotient | quotients | Le quotient est le résultat de la division. | The quotient is the result of the division. |
| le reste | les restes | remainder | remainders | Le reste est ce qui reste après la division. | The remainder is what's left after division. |
| diviser | – | to divide | – | Je vais diviser 20 par 4. | I am going to divide 20 by 4. |
| divisé par | – | divided by | – | divisé par 4 égale 5. | divided by 4 equals 5. |
| répartir | – | to distribute | – | On va répartir les bonbons en parts égales. | We will distribute the candies into equal parts. |
| partager | – | to share / to divide | – | Partagez 12 pommes entre 3 enfants. | Share 12 apples among 3 children. |
| le signe de division | – | division sign | – | Le signe de division est ÷. | The division sign is ÷. |
Usage Patterns
French division is typically expressed using the preposition par (meaning “by”) or the verb diviser. Here are some common patterns:
- [Number] divisé par [Number] — e.g., 20 divisé par 4 (20 divided by 4)
- [Sujet] divise [Objet] par [Nombre] — e.g., Elle divise 12 par 3 (She divides 12 by 3)
- Partager [Objet] entre [Nombre] — e.g., Partagez 15 bonbons entre 5 enfants (Share 15 candies among 5 children)
- Répartir [Objet] en [Nombre] parts — e.g., Répartis ce gâteau en 4 parts (Divide this cake into 4 pieces)
What is the correct French pattern to say 'She divides 12 by 3'?
Elle divise 12 par 3.
The correct pattern is 'Elle divise 12 par 3,' using 'divise ... par' to indicate the division.
In the sentence 'Partagez 12 pommes entre 3 enfants,' what is the role of 'entre'?
It means 'among' and indicates dividing items between groups or people.
'Entre' means 'among' and is used to indicate dividing or sharing something between multiple people or groups.
Key Concepts
Beyond the core terms, here are some related concepts and vocabulary that often appear in division problems:
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example (French) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la fraction | les fractions | fraction | fractions | /2 est une fraction. | /2 is a fraction. |
| le partage | les partages | sharing / division | – | Le partage doit être équitable. | The sharing must be fair. |
| l’égalité | – | equality | – | ÷ 2 = 3 est une égalité. | ÷ 2 = 3 is an equality. |
| la division euclidienne | – | Euclidean division | – | La division euclidienne donne un quotient et un reste. | Euclidean division gives a quotient and a remainder. |
| le nombre décimal | les nombres décimaux | decimal number | decimal numbers | ÷ 2 = 3,5 est un nombre décimal. | ÷ 2 = 3.5 is a decimal number. |
| arrondir | – | to round | – | Arrondis le résultat à deux décimales. | Round the result to two decimal places. |
| diviseur commun | – | common divisor | – | est un diviseur commun de 8 et 12. | is a common divisor of 8 and 12. |
Example Sentences
Here are some complete example sentences to help you see division vocabulary in context:
| French Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| divisé par 4 égale 5. | divided by 4 equals 5. |
| Quel est le quotient de 15 divisé par 3 ? | What is the quotient of 15 divided by 3? |
| Il reste 2 après la division de 14 par 4. | There is a remainder of 2 after dividing 14 by 4. |
| Partageons ces 18 bonbons entre 6 enfants. | Let’s share these 18 candies among 6 children. |
| Le dividende est 24 et le diviseur est 6. | The dividend is 24 and the divisor is 6. |
| Divisez 30 par 5, puis ajoutez 2 au quotient. | Divide 30 by 5, then add 2 to the quotient. |
| Répartis ces 10 pommes en parts égales. | Divide these 10 apples into equal parts. |
Summary
- la division = division
- le dividende = dividend (number being divided)
- le diviseur = divisor (number you divide by)
- le quotient = quotient (result of division)
- le reste = remainder (leftover)
- Use divisé par for “divided by,” e.g., *20 divisé par
- Use partager... entre... or répartir... en... for dividing items among people or parts
- Vocabulary also includes related concepts like fractions (la fraction) and decimal numbers (nombre décimal)
With these French division terms and examples, you can confidently describe and perform division problems in French.
Flashcards (1 of 24)
- English Singular: division
- English Plural: divisions
- Example (English): Division is a mathematical operation.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
