The first verb you likely learned for 'to count' in French was compter. And for good reason—it's the most common and direct translation! But what about when you want to say you're 'counting on' someone, or that something 'doesn't count'? Just like in English, French has a variety of expressions and verbs to capture the different nuances of this idea. Learning them will not only make your French sound more fluent but will also help you understand native speakers more easily. Let's dive into 9 ways to say 'to count' in French!

The standard 'to count' – compter

Compter is the most fundamental and widely used verb in French for 'to count'. Whether you're counting numbers, objects, or people, this is your go-to verb. It's a regular -er verb, which makes its basic conjugation relatively simple for learners.

Beyond its literal meaning, compter is frequently used to express intention. When compter is followed by an infinitive verb (like faire, aller, voir), it translates to 'to intend to' or 'to plan on' doing something. This is an extremely common structure in everyday conversation.

Compter can also be used to signify importance or value, similar to the English 'to matter' or 'to count'. In this sense, it describes something or someone that has significance. For example, Ça compte beaucoup pour moi means 'That matters a lot to me.'

When paired with the preposition sur, the meaning shifts to 'to count on' or 'to rely on'. Compter sur quelqu'un (to count on someone) or compter sur quelque chose (to count on something) implies trust and dependence. It’s a crucial expression for showing reliance.

Understanding which meaning of compter is being used is almost always clear from the context. If it's followed by numbers or a direct object, it means 'to count'. If it's followed by an infinitive, it means 'to intend to'. If it stands alone or is followed by pour (for), it likely means 'to matter'. And if you see sur, it means 'to rely on'.

💡 * Apprends à compter jusqu'à dix en français. (Learn to count to ten in French.)

Je compte visiter le Louvre pendant mon séjour à Paris. (I intend to visit the Louvre during my stay in Paris.)

Ton amitié compte énormément pour moi. (Your friendship matters immensely to me.)

Ne t'inquiète pas, tu peux compter sur moi. (Don't worry, you can count on me.)

Il y a combien d'invités ? Je vais les compter. (How many guests are there? I'm going to count them.)

The formal 'to enumerate' or 'to tally' – dénombrer

When you need a more formal or precise verb than the common compter (to count), you can use dénombrer. This verb translates to “to enumerate,” “to tally,” or “to count up,” and it implies a methodical and complete count of a specific group.

The key difference between compter and dénombrer lies in the nuance. While compter is for general counting (e.g., counting to ten), dénombrer is used for establishing the total number of items within a defined set, often for official, statistical, or scientific purposes. It suggests an exhaustive and careful inventory.

You will typically encounter dénombrer in formal contexts such as census reports (dénombrer les habitants), scientific studies (dénombrer les cellules), inventory management (dénombrer le stock), or any situation requiring a precise and final tally.

The related noun is le dénombrement, which means “the enumeration,” “the tally,” or “the count.” For example, le dénombrement des voix refers to the counting of votes after an election.

Think of it this way: you would compter the sheep to fall asleep, but a farmer would dénombrer his flock to ensure none are missing. The first is a simple action of counting; the second is an act of verification and establishing a total.

💡 * L'objectif de l'étude est de dénombrer les espèces menacées dans la région.

Il faut dénombrer précisément le nombre de participants avant de réserver la salle.

Le dernier dénombrement de la population a eu lieu il y a cinq ans.

Les employés ont passé la journée à dénombrer les articles en inventaire.

The 'to calculate' or 'to compute' – calculer

The French verb calculer is the direct equivalent of the English verbs 'to calculate' or 'to compute'. It's a fundamental verb for anyone dealing with numbers, logic, or planning.

In its most common sense, calculer refers to performing a mathematical operation. Whether you're adding numbers, figuring out a percentage, or using a calculator (une calculatrice), this is the verb you'll use. It is a regular -er verb, making its conjugation straightforward.

Beyond mathematics, calculer can also mean 'to figure out', 'to weigh up', or 'to plan strategically'. In this context, it implies a thought process of assessing risks and outcomes, sometimes with a slightly negative connotation of being scheming or overly analytical.

The context will tell you whether the meaning is literal (mathematical) or figurative (strategic). For example, calculer le coût (calculate the cost) is literal, while calculer les risques (calculate the risks) is figurative.

A very common informal expression is ne pas calculer quelqu'un, which means 'to ignore someone' or 'to not give someone the time of day'. For instance, Il ne me calcule même pas means 'He doesn't even acknowledge me'.

💡 * Je dois calculer le coût total de notre voyage.

L'ordinateur calcule des millions d'opérations par seconde.

Elle a bien calculé son coup avant de parler.

Sais-tu calculer 15% de 200 ?

Quand il est en colère, il ne me calcule plus.

The 'to quantify' or 'to put a figure on' – chiffrer

The verb chiffrer is the direct French equivalent of 'to quantify,' 'to calculate,' or 'to put a figure on.' It's all about assigning a numerical value to something.

You'll most often hear chiffrer in business, finance, or technical settings. It’s used when discussing costs, damages, losses, or any item that needs a precise monetary or numerical assessment.

This verb is derived from the noun un chiffre, which means 'a digit' or 'a figure.' Therefore, to chiffrer something is literally to assign figures or numbers to it, making it easy to remember.

💡 * Il faut chiffrer le coût total des réparations. (We must calculate the total cost of the repairs.)

Les experts n'arrivent pas à chiffrer les pertes économiques. (The experts are unable to quantify the economic losses.)

Pouvez-vous me chiffrer ce devis ? (Can you put a figure on this quote for me?)

On chiffre sa fortune à plus de dix millions. (His fortune is estimated at more than ten million.)

The 'to list' or 'to itemize' – énumérer

The 'to list' or 'to itemize' – énumérer

Énumérer is a French verb that directly translates to 'to enumerate.' It means to list or mention a number of things one by one, often in a systematic way.

This verb carries a slightly more formal or literary tone than the more common phrase faire une liste (to make a list). It is often used in professional, academic, or written contexts to imply a careful and complete listing of items.

As a regular -er verb, énumérer follows standard conjugation rules, which makes it straightforward for learners. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object (the things being listed). For example, énumérer les problèmes (to list the problems).

Use énumérer when you want to convey the action of methodically detailing a series of points, reasons, or objects. It adds a touch of sophistication to your French compared to simpler alternatives.

💡 * Le professeur a demandé à l'étudiant d'énumérer les causes de la Révolution française. (The professor asked the student to list the causes of the French Revolution.)

Je peux vous énumérer toutes les raisons pour lesquelles ce projet va réussir. (I can list for you all the reasons why this project will succeed.)

Le rapport énumère les recommandations du comité. (The report itemizes the committee's recommendations.)

Avant de partir en vacances, j'énumère tout ce que je dois mettre dans ma valise. (Before leaving on vacation, I list everything I need to put in my suitcase.)

The 'to take a census of' or 'to survey' – recenser

When you need to talk about taking a census, surveying a group, or making a comprehensive list, the key French verb is recenser.

The primary meaning of recenser is 'to take a census of' or 'to survey.' It is directly linked to the noun un recensement (a census). The verb implies a formal, systematic process of counting or cataloging.

While often used in official contexts like government population counts, recenser can also mean 'to identify and list' or 'to take stock of' in a broader sense. For instance, you could use it to describe listing all the errors in a document or identifying all the plant species in a park. It always conveys a sense of thoroughness.

Recenser is a regular -er verb, but it has a common spelling change. To maintain the soft 's' sound, the 'c' becomes a 'ç' before the vowels 'a' and 'o'. For example, the present tense for 'we' is nous recençons.

💡 * Le gouvernement va recenser la population l'année prochaine. (The government will take a census of the population next year.)

Nous avons recensé tous les problèmes avant de commencer le projet. (We listed all the problems before starting the project.)

L'association a recensé les besoins des sans-abris. (The association surveyed the needs of the homeless.)

Il est difficile de recenser toutes les espèces d'insectes dans cette forêt. (It is difficult to catalog all the insect species in this forest.)

The 'to count on' someone or something – compter sur

The French phrase for 'to count on' or 'to rely on' someone or something is compter sur. This essential expression literally translates to 'to count on,' combining the verb compter (to count) with the preposition sur (on).

This phrase is used just like its English counterpart. You can compter sur quelqu'un (count on someone) or compter sur quelque chose (count on something). The structure is simple: subject + the conjugated form of compter + sur + the person or thing you are relying on.

The verb compter is a regular -er verb, making its conjugation predictable. In the present tense, it follows the standard pattern: je compte, tu comptes, il/elle compte, nous comptons, vous comptez, ils/elles comptent.

💡 * Je sais que je peux toujours compter sur toi en cas de problème. (I know I can always count on you if there's a problem.)

Ne compte pas sur lui, il est toujours en retard. (Don't count on him, he's always late.)

Nous comptons sur votre aide pour finir ce projet. (We are counting on your help to finish this project.)

Elle compte sur son expérience pour obtenir le poste. (She is relying on her experience to get the job.)

The 'to add up' or 'to total' – totaliser

The verb totaliser is a direct and useful French verb that means 'to total,' 'to add up to,' or 'to amount to.'

Totaliser is used to state the final sum or count of a group of items. It's frequently used in contexts involving numbers, such as finance, statistics, or scoring in sports, to indicate a final, cumulative figure.

Grammatically, totaliser is a regular -er verb, which makes its conjugation predictable and easy for learners to master. It follows the same pattern as verbs like parler or chanter.

While similar to additionner (to add), totaliser focuses on the result. You use additionner for the action of adding numbers together, and totaliser to describe what those numbers amount to as a whole.

💡 * La facture totalise 200 euros. (The bill totals 200 euros.)

Le musée totalise plus de 50 000 visiteurs par an. (The museum gets a total of more than 50,000 visitors per year.)

En fin de compte, nos dépenses ont totalisé moins que prévu. (In the end, our expenses totaled less than expected.)

1. The Expression 'faire le compte de': To Tally Up

The French expression faire le compte de literally translates to 'to make the count of'. It is the primary way to say 'to tally up', 'to count up', or 'to make an account of' something. This phrase is perfect for any situation that involves counting, calculating, or assessing a total quantity.

You will commonly encounter faire le compte de in practical, everyday contexts. A shopkeeper might use it to count the day's earnings (faire le compte de la recette), a host might use it to count guests (faire le compte des invités), or you might use it to track your expenses (faire le compte des dépenses).

Beyond its literal meaning of counting physical objects or money, faire le compte de can also be used figuratively to mean 'to take stock of' or 'to assess' an abstract situation. For example, after a major event, one might faire le compte des conséquences (take stock of the consequences) to understand the full impact.

💡 * Chaque soir, le commerçant doit faire le compte de la caisse. (Every evening, the shopkeeper must tally up the cash register.)

Avant de partir en vacances, je vais faire le compte de mes dépenses. (Before leaving on vacation, I'm going to make an account of my expenses.)

Il est difficile de faire le compte des étoiles dans le ciel. (It is difficult to count the stars in the sky.)

Après la tempête, les habitants ont commencé à faire le compte des dégâts. (After the storm, the residents began to take stock of the damage.)

Are there other ways to say 'to count' in French?

Our guide has featured the most common ways to say 'to count' in French, primarily using the verb compter. However, French offers a variety of other verbs for specific situations, from formal enumeration to figurative expressions.

You can discover more nuanced terms by searching for phrases like “synonyme de compter en finance” or “comment dire 'recount a story' en français” to find context-specific vocabulary.

When you find a new verb like dénombrer (to enumerate) or chiffrer (to calculate/quantify), be sure to check its definition and see it used in a sentence. Context is key to using these words correctly.

As you read, watch, and listen to French content, pay attention to how numbers and quantities are discussed. You might hear different verbs used in a business report versus a casual conversation.

For a deeper dive into the different meanings of compter and related expressions, the WordReference entry for compter is an invaluable resource for learners.

I hope this article has been helpful. To finish, here's a famous quote from Antoine de Saint-Exupéry that plays on what truly 'counts' in life: On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux. (One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.)

'9 ways to say "to count" in French'