A guide to saying it like a local
How to Say "Second" in French
Use 'deuxième' for 'second' when ordering or referring to the second item in a sequence.
deuxième
duh-ZYEMneutral
French TTS · 0:01
This is your go-to for 'second' when you're talking about the second in line, the second floor, or the second course at a meal. It's also used for the second time you do something.
Alternatives
- secondThis is a direct cognate but less common for ordinal numbers in modern French.
- autreUse 'autre' when you mean 'another' or 'a different' one, not specifically the second.
Ways to get it wrong
Pronouncing the 'd'
The initial 'd' in 'deuxième' is pronounced, not silent like in 'second'.
Confusing with 'second'
While 'second' exists, 'deuxième' is the standard for ordinal numbers in most contexts.
A small cultural note
While 'deuxième' is standard, you might occasionally hear 'second' used, especially in older contexts or specific phrases.
The same phrase in other languages
Frequently asked
When do I use deuxième vs second?
Generally, 'deuxième' is the standard for ordinal numbers like 'second' in French. 'Second' is less common for this purpose.
How do I say second place in French?
For second place, you would typically use 'deuxième place'. If it's a male winner, it's 'deuxième', and for a female winner, it's 'deuxième'.
Is deuxième masculine or feminine?
'Deuxième' is an adjective that agrees in gender and number with the noun it modifies. However, when used alone as an ordinal number, it's often treated as masculine by default unless context clearly indicates feminine.
How do you say 2nd in French?
The word for 'second' in French is 'deuxième'. It is pronounced roughly as 'duh-zee-em'.
What is 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in French?
First is 'premier', second is 'deuxième', and third is 'troisième'. These are ordinal numbers used to indicate position or order.
How do you say 'first second' in French?
To say 'first second' in French, you would use 'premier deuxième'. This phrase is used to indicate the first and second items in a sequence.
What is the pronunciation of 'second' in French?
The French word for 'second' is 'deuxième', pronounced approximately as 'duh-zee-em'. The 'x' in 'deuxième' makes a 'z' sound.
