Subtraction vocabulary in French covers the key terms needed to understand and perform subtraction, including words for the numbers involved, the operation itself, and common phrases used in math problems and explanations.
Basic Subtraction Terms
These are the fundamental words for subtraction in French:
- soustraction (subtraction)
- moins (minus)
- diminuer (to subtract/to decrease)
- retirer (to take away)
- différence (difference)
These terms form the basis for talking about subtraction in any context.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example in French | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| la soustraction | les soustractions | subtraction | subtractions | La soustraction est une opération mathématique. | Subtraction is a mathematical operation. |
| le moins | les moins | minus | minuses | moins 2 égale 3. | minus 2 equals 3. |
| diminuer | — | to subtract / to decrease | — | Je dois diminuer ce nombre de 4. | I have to subtract 4 from this number. |
| retirer | — | to take away | — | Retire 3 de la somme totale. | Take away 3 from the total amount. |
| la différence | les différences | difference | differences | La différence entre 10 et 4 est 6. | The difference between 10 and 4 is 6. |
Numbers and Quantities
These are the number words and quantifiers often used in subtraction problems:
- zéro, un, deux, trois, ... (zero, one, two, three, ...)
- quelques (a few)
- plusieurs (several)
- moins de (less than)
- de moins (fewer)
Knowing these helps in understanding and forming subtraction sentences.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example in French | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| un | — | one | — | J’ai un livre de moins. | I have one book less. |
| deux | — | two | — | Deux moins un égale un. | Two minus one equals one. |
| plusieurs | — | several | — | Il y a plusieurs pommes retirées. | Several apples were taken away. |
| moins de | — | less than | — | Il reste moins de dix bonbons. | There are fewer than ten candies left. |
| quelques | — | a few | — | Retire quelques éléments. | Subtract a few items. |
Parts of a Subtraction Equation
These are the terms for the parts of a subtraction equation:
- minuend (la minuend)
- subtrahend (le sustraend)
- différence (difference)
- égal (equals)
These are more technical terms used in formal math contexts.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example in French | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| le minuend | les minuends | minuend | minuends | Le minuend est le nombre de départ. | The minuend is the starting number. |
| le soustrahend | les soustrahends | subtrahend | subtrahends | Le soustrahend est ce qu’on retire. | The subtrahend is what is taken away. |
| la différence | les différences | difference | differences | La différence est le résultat de la soustraction. | The difference is the result of the subtraction. |
| égal | égaux | equals | equals | moins 3 égal 4. | minus 3 equals 4. |
Common Phrases and Expressions
These are useful phrases for describing subtraction operations and problems:
- combien reste-t-il ? (how much is left?)
- moins que (less than)
- retirer de (take away from)
- faire une soustraction (to do a subtraction)
- calculer la différence (to calculate the difference)
These phrases are commonly used in word problems and explanations.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example in French | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| combien reste-t-il ? | — | how much is left? | — | Il y avait 10 pommes, combien reste-t-il ? | There were 10 apples, how much is left? |
| moins que | — | less than | — | est moins que 8. | is less than 8. |
| retirer de | — | take away from | — | Retire 2 de 9. | Take away 2 from 9. |
| faire une soustraction | — | to do a subtraction | — | Je dois faire une soustraction. | I have to do a subtraction. |
| calculer la différence | — | to calculate the difference | — | Calcule la différence entre ces deux nombres. | Calculate the difference between these two numbers. |
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences showing subtraction vocabulary in context:
- moins 4 égale 3. (7 minus 4 equals 3.)
- Je retire 5 du total. (I subtract 5 from the total.)
- La différence entre 12 et 7 est 5. (The difference between 12 and 7 is 5.)
- Il reste 8 pommes après en avoir enlevé 2. (There are 8 apples left after taking away 2.)
These examples demonstrate how to use subtraction words in complete sentences.
| French Singular | French Plural | English Singular | English Plural | Example in French | Example in English |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| moins 4 égale 3. | — | minus 4 equals 3. | — | moins 4 égale 3. | minus 4 equals 3. |
| Je retire 5 du total. | — | I subtract 5 from the total. | — | Je retire 5 du total. | I subtract 5 from the total. |
| La différence entre 12 et 7 est 5. | — | The difference between 12 and 7 is 5. | — | La différence entre 12 et 7 est 5. | The difference between 12 and 7 is 5. |
| Il reste 8 pommes après en avoir enlevé 2. | — | There are 8 apples left after taking away 2. | — | Il reste 8 pommes après en avoir enlevé 2. | There are 8 apples left after taking away 2. |
Subtraction vocabulary in French is essential for understanding math problems and performing calculations. By mastering these terms and examples, you’ll be well-equipped to handle subtraction in French.
Flashcards (1 of 23)
- English Singular: subtraction
- English Plural: subtractions
- Example in English: Subtraction is a mathematical operation.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
